TABLE 2.

Germination of spores of various strains via wild-type germinant receptors and amino acids with or without cogerminants^a

Strain (receptor[s])	Maximum rates of spore germination (amino acid concn [mM] for half-maximal rates) with indicated germinant and cogerminantb
	l-Alanine		l-Asparagine		l-Serine		l-Threonine		l-Valine
	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
FB60 (GerA GerK)	100c(0.03)	215 (0.015)d	NDe	NDe	NDe	NDe	NDe	NDe	93 (1.5)	197 (0.7)d
FB87 (GerA)	103 (0.03)	98 (0.03)d	NDe	NDe	NDe	NDe	NDe	NDe	90 (1.5)	89 (1.5)d
FB20 (GerB GerK)	<1f,g	38h	<1f	57h	<1f	24h	<1f	12h	NDe	NDe
PS3651 (GerB)	<1f,g	<1f,g,h	<1f	<1f,h	<1f	<1f,h	<1f	<1f,h	NDe	NDe

^aSpores were germinated with amino acids at concentrations from 0.003 to 33 mM with or without 10 mM glucose and 10 mM KCl (GK) or GFK (with each component at 10 mM), and rates of spore germination were measured and calculated as described in Materials and Methods.

^bMaximum rates of spore germination are given relative to the value for FB60 spores germinated with l-alanine alone, which was set at 100. This value is equivalent to 100% spore germination in 30 min. “No” and “Yes” refer to the absence and presence, respectively, of GK and/or GFK. Boldface type indicates that glucose and K⁺ increased the maximum rate of germination with either l-alanine or l-valine by ∼2-fold and decreased the amino acid concentrations giving half-maximal rates of germination by ∼2-fold. Italic font indicates that glucose and K⁺ had no effect on spore germination with l-alanine or l-valine. Underlining indicates that spores with GerB and GerK (but not GerA) germinated with GFK and l-alanine, l-asparagine, l-serine, or l-threonine (or l-glutamine or l-homoserine [data not shown]) and that all components of GFK were essential.

^cValue set at 100.

^dOnly GK was added. There was no further effect upon the addition of fructose plus GK.

^eND, not determined.

^fValue determined by flow cytometry.

^gSimilar results were obtained with 200 mM l-alanine.

^hGFK was added.