HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Martin, J. H. Articles by Harper, W. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Martin, J. H. Articles by Harper, W. J.

Role of Amino Acids in Germination of Bacillus Licheniformis Spores. I. Uptake of Radioactive Amino Acids by Germinating and Dormant Spores¹

Department of Dairy Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus

ABSTRACT

The uptake of amino acids by Bacillus licheniformis spores was investigated using radioactive L-alanine, L-valine, DL-glutamic acid, and glycine.

The uptake of L-alanine and L-valine was rapid in germinating spores, with the major portion of the radioactivity being incorporated into the cytoplasm during and following germination, rather than in the spore coat. Approximately 80% of the radioactivity in the cytoplasm of spores germinated with radioactive L-alanine was soluble in cold trichloroacetic acid, and was not associated with the ribosomal fraction of the spore cytoplasm.

Radioactive glycine and DL-glutamic acid entered the dormant spore readily, even though germination did not occur, and became almost entirely associated with the cytoplasm portion. The uptake of glycine in the dormant spore increased continuously during 2 hr of incubation; whereas, the uptake of DL-glutamic acid was independent of incubation time. When L-alanine was added as a spore germinant, along with radioactive glycine, the incorporation of radioactive glycine occurred immediately, with essentially no increase during germination and post-germinative development. When radioactive DL-glutamic acid was present with L-alanine, the uptake of DL-glutamic acid increased dramatically following germination.

¹ Article Number 18-64. This investigation was supported by Public Health Service Research Grant No. EF-00180-05 from the Division of Environmental Engineering and Food Protection, Bureau of State Service.