Open AccessThe Silicon Layer Supports Acid Resistance of Bacillus cereus Spores
Author(s) -
Ryuichi Hirota,
Yumehiro Hata,
Takeshi Ikeda,
Takenori Ishida,
Akio Kuroda
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.652
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1067-8832
pISSN - 0021-9193
DOI - 10.1128/jb.00954-09
Subject(s) - bacillus cereus , spore , biology , cereus , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , silicon , bacterial spore , silicate , s layer , endospore , biophysics , materials science , chemical engineering , genetics , optoelectronics , engineering
Silicon (Si) is considered to be a "quasiessential" element for most living organisms. However, silicate uptake in bacteria and its physiological functions have remained obscure. We observed that Si is deposited in a spore coat layer of nanometer-sized particles in Bacillus cereus and that the Si layer enhances acid resistance. The novel acid resistance of the spore mediated by Si encapsulation was also observed in other Bacillus strains, representing a general adaptation enhancing survival under acidic conditions.
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