Open AccessAcrylonitrile induces autolysis Bacillus subtilis
Author(s) -
Reyes Giovany F.,
Corbett Donna,
Benz F.W.,
Doyle R.J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb08904.x
Subject(s) - autolysis (biology) , bacillus subtilis , acrylonitrile , chemistry , bioremediation , protonophore , bacteria , bacilli , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , cyanide , enzyme , biology , organic chemistry , polymer , copolymer , genetics , membrane potential
Acrylonitrile (AN) is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of plastics and other polymers. AN has been reported to be an acute toxin and is a known carcinogen in rodents. When AN was mixed with suspensions of Bacillus subtilis , the bacteria began autolysis. It was determined that AN is partially converted to cyanide, a strong protonophore in B. subtilis . Autolytic enzymes in B. subtilis become active when the protonmotive force is dissipated. The amount of cyanide produced from AN, however, was not enough to promote autolysis in exponential B. subtilis . This is the first report showing that AN may induce autolytic reactions in bacteria. It is suggested the autolysis of B. subtilis may be useful in the environmental monitoring of AN. In addition, the metabolism of AN by bacilli may be useful in bioremediation.