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. 1961 Nov;82(5):706–713. doi: 10.1128/jb.82.5.706-713.1961

l-ALANINE DEHYDROGENASE: A MECHANISM CONTROLLING THE SPECIFICITY OF AMINO ACID-INDUCED GERMINATION OF BACILLUS CEREUS SPORES

R J O'Connor 1, Harlyn O Halvorson 1
PMCID: PMC279239  PMID: 14480841

Abstract

O'Connor, R. J. (University of Wisconsin, Madison), and Harlyn O. Halvorson. L-Alanine dehydrogenase: A mechanism controlling the specificity of amino acid-induced germination of Bacillus cereus spores. J. Bacteriol. 82:706–713. 1961.—A study has been undertaken of the properties and specificity of germination of spores of Bacillus cereus strain T. In the absence of additional carbon sources, only l-alanine, l-α-NH2-n-butyric acid, and l-cysteine were effective germinating agents. The physical properties of germination, induced by l-alanine and l-α-NH2-n-butyric acid following extended heat shock, were in close agreement with those of l-alanine dehydrogenase. The specificity of the germination system, as well as amino acid deamination in vivo, support the view that l-alanine dehydrogenase activity is essential for germination and that the enzyme serves as the initial binding site for l-alanine in heat-shocked spores.

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Selected References

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