The GerW Protein is Not Involved in the Germination of Spores of Bacillus Species
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.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 19, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1018759
Entities
People
- Abigail Perez-valdespino
- Graham Christie
- Hiromu Takamatsu
- Jose Cruz-mora
- Nilumi Withange
- Peter Setlow
- Ritsuko Kuwana
- Srishti Gupta
Organizations
- University of Connecticut Health Center