Accession Number:

AD0838584

Title:

MACROMOLECULAR SYNTHESES IN THE COURSE OF GERMINATION OF B. SUBTILIS SPORES. 2. REGULATION

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

FORT DETRICK FREDERICK MD

Personal Author(s):

• Balassa, G.
• Contesse, G.

Report Date:

1968-07-01

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

This report is a study of the regulation of RNA and protein synthesis during germination which led to the following conclusions 1 Amino acids are required, even by a prototrophic strain, in order that the active phase of germination may proceed normally. In the absence of amino acids a slow turnover of RNA and protein takes place but germination does not continue beyond the initial phase. 2 The requirement for amino acids during germination is explained by their role in the regulation of RNA synthesis. This is shown by both shift-up and shift-down experiments. The amino acid effect which is immediate is observed even in the presence of chloramphenicol. 3 A detailed kinetic study of RNA synthesis in the presence of chloramphenicol suggests the spore lacks a protein presumable ribosomal protein which is involved in the synthesis or the stabilization of ribosomal RNA and which is synthesised preferentially at the beginning of germination. The hypothesis that the ribosomes play a role in the synthesis of all three types of RNA provides an explanation for both the autocatalytic rate of synthesis of these RNAs and for the constancy of their relative rates of formation. In summary the spore is characterized by the absence of messenger RNA, and by its small content, relative to the vegetative form, of ribosomal protein, ribosomes, and amino acid synthesising enzymes.

Descriptors:

• *BACILLUS SUBTILIS
• PROTEINS
• FRANCE
• RIBONUCLEIC ACIDS
• BIOSYNTHESIS
• GERMINATION
• RIBOSOMES
• CHLORAMPHENICOL
• CULTURE MEDIA
• LABELED SUBSTANCES
• AMINO ACIDS
• TRANSLATIONS
• SPORES

Subject Categories:

• Microbiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE