FIG. 1.

Organization of the araABDLMNPQ-abfA, araE, and msmX loci of the wild-type B. subtilis chromosome (WT). The location of the three regions is indicated in kilobase pairs. The genes are represented by arrows pointing in the direction of transcription. Below each region are displayed the constructs bearing the mutations used in this work, and the strains harboring each mutation are indicated in front of the construct. Below the araABDLMNPQ-abfA loci are depicted the two in-frame deletions generated by allelic replacement, ΔaraN and ΔaraNPQ. the mutation generated by the insertion of a kanamycin resistance cassette (kan) is represented in the araE locus. Below the msmX locus is presented the insertion-deletion mutation created by a deletion of msmX followed by the insertion of a chloramphenicol resistance cassette (cat) as described in Materials and Methods.