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. 1972 Aug;111(2):557–565. doi: 10.1128/jb.111.2.557-565.1972

Minimal Requirements for Commitment to Sporulation in Bacillus megaterium

Richard A Greene a,1, Ralph A Slepecky a
PMCID: PMC251318  PMID: 4626503

Abstract

Commitment to sporulation was examined by means of both endotrophic sporulation and rejuvenation experiments. In both cases, a point of commitment to the completion of sporulation occurred at stage II. With 2 × 108 cells/ml, the process by which commitment occurred required 0.5 mm Mg2+, 10.0 mm phosphate, and an energy source (minimum of 5.0 mm acetate). For completion of sporulation and formation of normal, heat-resistant refractile spores, 0.3 mm Ca2+ was required. Except for this Ca2+ requirement, the completion of sporulation after commitment was independent of the nature of the surrounding medium. Some aspects of the utilization of these required substances were examined.

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Selected References

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