Accession Number:

AD1018759

Title:

The GerW Protein is Not Involved in the Germination of Spores of Bacillus Species

Descriptive Note:

Journal Article - Open Access

Corporate Author:

University of Connecticut - Health Center Farmington United States

Personal Author(s):

• Cruz-Mora,Jose
• Perez-Valdespino,Abigail
• Gupta,Srishti
• Withange,Nilumi
• Kuwana,Ritsuko
• Takamatsu,Hiromu
• Christie,Graham
• Setlow,Peter

Report Date:

2015-03-19

Pagination or Media Count:

16.0

Abstract:

Germination of spores of Bacillus species is initiated when nutrient germinants bind to germinant receptors GRs in spores inner membrane, and this triggers dipicolinic acid release and its replacement by water. Bacillus subtilis spores contain 3 GRs, GerA that responds to L-alanine, and GerB and GerK that together respond to the AGFK mixture. It was reported recently that the B. subtilis gerW gene is expressed only in developing spores during sporulation, and that GerW is essential for L-alanine but not AGFK germination. However, we now find that loss of B. subtilis GerW had no effects on i spore germination with either L-alanine or AGFK ii levels of the GerA GR iii germination by GR-independent pathways and iv spore outgrowth following germination. B. megaterium gerW was also expressed only in the developing spore during sporulation. However, again, disruption of B. megaterium gerW had no effects on spore germination.

Descriptors:

• bacillus
• spores
• germination
• proteins
• gene expression
• temperature

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE