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High pressure germination of B acillus subtilis spores with alterations in levels and types of germination proteins
Author(s) -
Doona C.J.,
Ghosh S.,
Feeherry F.F.,
RamirezPeralta A.,
Huang Y.,
Chen H.,
Setlow P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12557
Subject(s) - germination , bacillus subtilis , spore , biology , spore germination , horticulture , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics
Aims Examine effects of different levels and types of nutrient germinant receptors ( GR s) and other germination proteins on B acillus subtilis spore germination by a moderate high pressure (m HP ) (150 megaPascals (MPa)) that triggers germination through GR s, and a very high pressure (v HP ) (550 MPa) that triggers spore germination independent of GR s. Methods and Results The Moderate HP ( mHP ) and v HP germination kinetics of B . subtilis spores with large variations in levels of GR s and other germination proteins, including the GerD protein and the SpoVA proteins that comprise a spore membrane channel that is likely opened by v HP were measured. Conclusions GR levels were the major factor determining m HP germination rates. However, other factors modulated m HP germination rates including (i) relative levels of individual GR s (GerA, GerB, GerK), as mHP affected different GR s differently; (ii) levels of a recently identified small protein that may be a GR subunit; and (iii) a dominant negative mutation in gerD that eliminates GR ‐dependent nutrient germination. In contrast, the alterations in germination proteins had no major effect on v HP germination, except for reduction of SpoVA protein levels. Significance and Impact of the Study With the increasing use of HP for food processing, this study provides new information on factors that modulate HP germination of spores for potential application of HP technology to achieve food sterility.