We have previously characterized a Bacillus subtilis mutant defective in growth and osmoadaptation under limited K+ concentrations. In this mutant, the yxkO gene encoding a putative ribokinase is disrupted. This gene is supposed to belong to the sigma B operon and its expression is induced after osmotic, heat and ethanol shock. In comparison to the wild type, this mutation causes pleiotropic changes in host phenotype. In addition to its osmosensitivity, the mutant differs in cell shape, motility and ability to produce endospores. Our goal was to focus on manifestations of the mutation in the yxkO gene in other bacteria of the genus Bacillus. Using plasmid pMUTIN4 we have prepared mutants with disruptions of this gene derived from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii strains differing in the yxkO surroundings and in the level of laboratory domestication. As in the previous study (with laboratory strain Bacillus subtilis 168) we demonstrate impaired ability of the mutant strain derived from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens to grow in potassium limitation and osmotic shock. We have studied this phenomenon at the level of the growth dynamics of the bacterial culture. We have also detected an increased sensitivity of the strain derived from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens to...