A gene encoding thermostable Lon protease fromBrevi-bacillus thermoruberWR-249 was cloned and characterized. TheBr. thermoruberLon gene (Bt-lon) encodes an 88 kDa protein characterized by an N-terminal domain, a central ATPase domain which includes an SSD (sensor- and sub-strate-discrimination) domain, and a C-terminal protease domain. The Bt-lon is a heat-inducible gene and may be controlled under a putativeBacillus subtilisr A -dependent promoter, but in theabsenceofCIRCE(controlling inverted repeat of chaperone expression)
