Partial Characterization of Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium smegmatis Auxotrophs by Syntrophism Using Bacillus subtilis

Summary: Syntrophism (cross-feeding) could be demonstrated between mutants of Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium smegmatis, and previously characterized mutants of Bacillus subtilis, auxotrophic for arginine, histidine, lysine or phenylalanine. Based on this cross-feeding data, the possible site of blockage in the biosynthetic pathways of the mutants could be inferred.