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Plasmid-encoded genes influence exosporium assembly and morphology in Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 spores

Julia Manetsberger1, Elizabeth A H Hall1, Graham Christie2

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QT, UK.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|August 29, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Genes on Bacillus megaterium plasmids are essential for spore exosporium assembly. Researchers identified a novel pole-localized exosporium protein, BclA1, and found B. megaterium anchors it differently than B. cereus.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Spores of Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 possess a unique exosporium.
  • The genetic basis and protein components of this exosporium are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of indigenous plasmids in exosporium formation in B. megaterium.
  • To identify and characterize proteins involved in exosporium assembly and stability.
  • To compare exosporium anchoring mechanisms with those in related Bacillus species.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of plasmid-encoded genes.
  • Identification of exosporium protein orthologues.
  • Transcriptional analysis using quantitative PCR.
  • Microscopy techniques including electron and fluorescent microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Genes on pBM500 and pBM600 plasmids are crucial for exosporium assembly and stability.
  • BclA1 protein identified as the component of the pole-localized exosporium layer, a novel finding in B. megaterium.
  • BxpB protein, essential for basal layer in B. cereus, has an unclear role in B. megaterium, as null mutants retain normal morphology and nap localization.

Conclusions:

  • Plasmids play a significant role in the structural integrity of the B. megaterium spore exosporium.
  • B. megaterium utilizes a distinct mechanism for anchoring the exosporium's nap layer compared to B. cereus.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the function of BxpB and the complete exosporium assembly pathway in B. megaterium.
Keywords:
Bacillusexosporiumhairy napindigenous plasmidsspores

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