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Inducible β‐glucosidase synthesis during germination and outgrowth of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 9372 spores
Author(s) -
Chandrapati S.,
Woodson L.P.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2003.01250.x
Subject(s) - bacillus subtilis , germination , spore , inducer , enzyme , spore germination , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , novobiocin , alanine , enzyme assay , bacteria , botany , amino acid , gene , genetics , antibiotics
Aims: To investigate the role of germination processes in the expression of the β‐glucosidase enzyme in Bacillus subtilis ATCC 9372 spores. Methods and Results: Enzyme activity was monitored in germinating and non‐germinating spores of B. subtilis ATCC 9372. The expression of β‐glucosidase by spores of B. subtilis was further investigated in the presence of a germination inhibitor, d ‐alanine, and a transcription inhibitor, novobiocin. Detection of enzyme activity required the presence of the germinant, l ‐alanine, as well as the inducer, 4‐methylumbelliferryl‐β‐ d ‐glucoside. Furthermore, β‐glucosidase synthesis was abolished in the presence of d ‐alanine or novobiocin. Conclusions: The data obtained in this study indicated that β‐glucosidase was not pre‐existing, or merely attached to the spore, but was synthesized de novo during spore germination. Significance and Impact of the Study: The requirement of functional germination processes for the detection of β‐glucosidase activity makes this enzyme a good candidate for detection of spore viability.