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. 1994 Jul;60(7):2647–2649. doi: 10.1128/aem.60.7.2647-2649.1994

Small, acid-soluble proteins bound to DNA protect Bacillus subtilis spores from being killed by freeze-drying.

H Fairhead 1, B Setlow 1, W M Waites 1, P Setlow 1
PMCID: PMC201697  PMID: 8074535

Abstract

Wild-type spores of Bacillus subtilis were resistant to eight cycles of freeze-drying, whereas about 90% of spores lacking the two major DNA-binding proteins (small, acid-soluble proteins alpha and beta) were killed by three to four cycles of freeze-dryings, with significant mutagenesis and DNA damage accompanying the killing. This role for alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble proteins in spore resistance to freeze-drying may be important in spore survival in the environment.

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Selected References

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