A transposon present in specific strains of Bacillus subtilis negatively affects nutrient- and dodecylamine-induced...

Spore germination shows a large inter-strain variability. Spores of certain Bacillus subtilis strains, including isolates from spoiled food products, exhibit different germination behavior from spores of the well-studied model organism Bacillus subtilis 168, often for unknown reasons. In this study, we analyzed spore germination efficiencies and kinetics of seventeen B. subtilis strains with previously sequenced genomes. A subsequent gene-trait matching analysis revealed a correlation between a slow germination phenotype and the presence of a mobile genetic element, i.e., a Tn1546-like transposon. A detailed investigation of the transposon elements showed an essential role of a specific operon (spoVA^2mob ) in inhibiting spore germination with nutrients and with the cationic surfactant dodecylamine. Our results indicate that this operon negatively influences release of Ca-DPA by the SpoVA channel and may additionally alter earlier germination events, potentially by affecting proteins in the spore inner membrane. The spoVA^2mob operon is an important factor that contributes to inter-strain differences in spore germination. Screening for its genomic presence can be applied for identification of spores that exhibit specific properties that impede spore eradication by industrial processes.