Accidental Selection and Intentional Restoration of Sporulation-DeficientBacillus anthracisMutants

Abstract
We demonstrate the frequent accidental enrichment of spontaneous sporulation-deficient mutants ofBacillus anthracison solid medium and identify contributing factors. Mutations inspo0A, encoding the master regulator of sporulation initiation, were found in 38 of 53 mutants. Transductions using bacteriophage CP51 propagated on sporogenic bacteria allowed for the restoration of sporulation phenotypes.