Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis)

Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium ubiquitously found in soil, water, plants, and the GI tract of animals and humans[1][3][5][7]. It is highly resilient to environmental stresses through the formation of tough endospores, enabling survival in extreme conditions[1][7]. B. subtilis is one of the most studied model organisms among Gram-positive bacteria and is noted for its rapid growth, ability to differentiate (including into spores and biofilms), and genetic tractability[5][6][7]. Its genome has been fully sequenced, and it serves as a key system for studying cellular processes such as replication, transcription, and protein secretion[5][6]. B. subtilis is of significant industrial and biotechnological importance, being used in enzyme production, as a source of antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides (e.g., subtilin, subtilosin A), probiotics, and biocontrol agents in agriculture[2][3][4][8]. Despite occasional rare infections, it is largely considered non-pathogenic to humans and is commonly used in food and health products[7]. Note: Bacillus subtilis is not a molecular drug target such as a specific enzyme, receptor, or transporter. Rather, it is a whole bacterial species and model organism. Therefore, it would be flagged as an incorrect entry as a *molecular target* for structured drug discovery databases.

Other names

hay bacillusgrass bacillusBacillus globigiiVibrio subtilis