A Bacillus subtilis malate dehydrogenase gene

A gene located downstream of the genes coding for isocitrate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase in Bacillus subtilis was found to encode malate dehydrogenase in the bacterium. The gene, designated citH, was initially discovered as an open reading frame consisting of 312 codons. Results revealed that in mutants where the citH gene was disrupted, sporulation required higher aspartate levels to progress.