Bacterial spores germination

Foster, S.J., Johnstone, K. (1990). Pulling the trigger the mechanism of bacterial spore germination. Mol. Microbiol. 4 137 1. 

Russell AD, Jones BD, Milbum P. Reversal of the inhibition of bacterial spore germination and outgrowth by antibacterial agents. Int Pharm 1985 25 105-112. 

In order to demonstrate the feasibility of HTP sterilization, we shall discuss an example taken from ref. 18. The pressure inactivation of E.coli, a gram-positive bacterium, is studied up to 5 kbar in the temperature range between 1- and 50°C and the dependence on pressure and temperature of the germination of bacterial spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus is investigated. 

Low-molecular-mass thiols such as coenzyme A and protein-bound thiol cofactors such as phospho-pantetheine are present in all cells. Their SH groups can also be oxidized to disulfides and it is of interest that in resting bacterial spores these compounds exist largely as disulfides or mixed disulfides. Upon germination of the spores special enzymes reduce the disulfides.136 Some proteins involved in control of protein synthesis contain SH groups that add covalently to C-6 atoms of a uracil ring in specific mRNA molecules. Control of their state of reduction may also be important.137... 

In terms of shape, the first of these are rod-shaped and are called bacilli (singular, bacillus). The bacilli often have small, whip-like structures known as flagella, with which they are able to move about. Some bacilli have oval, egg-shaped, or spherical bodies in their cells, known as spores. Under adverse conditions, such as dehydration, and in the presence of disinfectants, the bacteria may die, but the spores may be able to live on. The spores germinate when the conditions become favorable, and form new bacterial cells. Some are so resistant that they can withstand boiling and freezing temperatures and prolonged desiccation. See Fig. 1. 

Fig. 5. The method of bacterial spore detection using terbium. Dipicolinic acid (DPA) is released from endospores via lysis or germination and binds to Tb with high affinity. The resulting [Tb(DPA)]" complex exhibits intense luminescence in the visible region (544 nm) under UV excitation (278 nm) that is much greater than Tb " " alone.

Peng LX et al (2009) Elastic and inelastic light scattering from single bacterial spores in an optical trap allows the monitoring of spore germination dynamics. Anal Chem 81(10) 4035 042... 

The observed role of water in the stability of macromolecules is also found in cells. It is well known that bacterial spores are very difficult to inactivate by high pressures. On the other hand the germination of spores takes place at pressures of the order of 100 Mpa [20]. We have already mentioned the example of the role in water in the effect of pressure on the activity of Tardigrades [19]. 

The inoculation of natto is done with a pure culture of spores of B. subtilis natto that will germinate very well at 50 °C. For kinema, no miCTobial starter is added, as this is a natural fermentation allowing bacterial spores that survived the cooking process to germinate. This can be stimulated by sprinkling some wood-ash on the pounded soya beans. 

Relatively few antibacterial agents are actively sporicidal [108-110]. Many agents may be inhibitory to germination or outgrowth of bacterial spores, yet not necessarily kill them [108]. Actively sporicidal agents include the aldehydes [111], although it must be noted that much higher concentrations are required than for bactericidal activity [49]. 

---