Photoreactivation in the genus Bacillus

Photoreactivation of ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage was examined in exponential-phase cells of six mesophilic species of the genus Bacillus. Under the experimental conditions used, it was observed that the laboratory strains B. cereus strain T and B. thuringiensis var. thuringiensis strain NRRL-B4039 exhibited strong photoreactivation (86-fold and 70-fold respectively). Bacillus licheniformis strain ATCC 8480 exhibited moderate (15-fold) photoreactivation. Weak photoreactivation was observed in B. subtilis strain 168 (4-fold) and B. megaterium strain QM B1551 (3.4-fold). Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain H demonstrated no detectable photoreactivation.