FIG. 7.

Comparison of germination of B. anthracis wild-type and exsK mutant (Ames) spores in four germinants. (A to D) The germination of spores of the Ames wild-type (WT) and exsK spores in AAC (A), AI (B), AS (C), or l-alanine (l-ala) (D) was determined using the fluorescence microtiter assay, and regression curves for representative results are shown. P < 0.0001 for AAC and AI; P < 0.001 for l-alanine. (E and F) The germination of Sterne WT spores and exsK mutant spores in AI (E) or 1 mM inosine and 1 mM l-serine in PBS (IS) (F) was measured by the loss of OD over time. Data points represent three independent sporulations. Error bars represent standard errors of the means.