Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Peptidoglycan Synthesis01:28

Peptidoglycan Synthesis

3.8K
Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. It consists of repeating units of two sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These sugar chains are cross-linked by short peptide chains, forming a mesh-like polymer that surrounds the bacterial plasma membrane.Cytoplasmic Phase – Precursor SynthesisPeptidoglycan...
3.8K
Endospores and Sporulation01:20

Endospores and Sporulation

6.8K
Endospores are specialized, dormant cells primarily formed by Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus and Clostridium, enabling survival under extreme environmental conditions. Due to their unique composition and formation process, these structures are highly resistant to physical and chemical insults, such as extreme heat, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, desiccation, and toxic chemicals. Rare instances of endospore-like structures have also been observed in some Gram-negative bacteria,...
6.8K
Gene Regulation During Sporulation01:17

Gene Regulation During Sporulation

626
Sporulation is a complex developmental process that allows certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium species, to survive extreme environmental conditions. This process is tightly regulated by a series of signaling cascades and transcriptional controls, ensuring the formation of a highly resistant endospore.Sporulation is triggered by unfavorable conditions, such as nutrient depletion, and is governed by a phosphorelay system. One of the sensor kinases, such as...
626
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

8
Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
8
Archaeal Cell Wall01:29

Archaeal Cell Wall

1.5K
Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell WallThe S-layer is the most...
1.5K
Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope01:18

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

1.5K
The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often composed of polysaccharides, polypeptides, or proteins, form protective and adhesive structures that vary in organization and function.Capsules and Slime LayersCapsules are highly organized, tightly bound layers that firmly attach to the bacterial cell wall. Capsules are usually made of polysaccharides, though some are made of polypeptides. These...
1.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

YpeB stability affects germination possibly through delaying SleB activity in <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>.

Journal of bacteriology·2026
Same author

Mutant <i>gltS</i> alleles enable a <i>Vibrio fischeri</i> D-glutamate auxotroph to grow with lower requirements for exogenous D-glutamate.

Microbiology spectrum·2025
Same author

Semiautomated Production of Cell-Free Biosensors.

ACS synthetic biology·2025
Same author

Bacterial spore surface nanoenvironment requires a AAA+ ATPase to promote MurG function.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024
Same author

Transient infection of <i>Euprymna scolopes</i> with an engineered D-alanine auxotroph of <i>Vibrio fischeri</i>.

Applied and environmental microbiology·2024
Same author

Identification of a family of peptidoglycan transpeptidases reveals that <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> requires noncanonical cross-links for viability.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024
Same journal

Morphotype-specific susceptibility to <i>Neosartorya</i> (<i>Aspergillus</i>) <i>fischeri</i> antifungal protein 2 is associated with an anabolic transcriptional signature in <i>Candida</i>.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
Same journal

High abundance of <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i> in slaty-backed gull breeding in Northern Japan.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
Same journal

Rhein reduces conjugation of IncFII-type plasmids in <i>Escherichia coli</i> and mitigates the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
Same journal

Phenotypic discordance in rifampicin resistance detection among <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> isolates from China: insights from whole-genome sequencing and a structured literature review.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
Same journal

Identification of protein secretion systems and type III effectors in wood-associated bacteria of the genus <i>Xylophilus</i>.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
Same journal

Intraspecific diversity of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> populations isolated from cystic fibrosis respiratory infections.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination
08:35

Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination

Published on: June 25, 2016

10.0K

Spore Peptidoglycan.

David L Popham1, Casey B Bernhards2

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences I, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Microbiology Spectrum
|June 24, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial endospores rely on cortex peptidoglycan degradation by specific enzymes for germination. These germination enzymes, like SleB and CwlJ in Bacillus, are crucial for breaking down the spore cortex.

More Related Videos

Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics
09:09

Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics

Published on: October 13, 2020

5.2K
Visualization of Germinosomes and the Inner Membrane in Bacillus subtilis Spores
08:58

Visualization of Germinosomes and the Inner Membrane in Bacillus subtilis Spores

Published on: April 15, 2019

10.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination
08:35

Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination

Published on: June 25, 2016

10.0K
Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics
09:09

Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics

Published on: October 13, 2020

5.2K
Visualization of Germinosomes and the Inner Membrane in Bacillus subtilis Spores
08:58

Visualization of Germinosomes and the Inner Membrane in Bacillus subtilis Spores

Published on: April 15, 2019

10.7K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Physiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Bacterial endospores feature a protective cortex peptidoglycan layer essential for dormancy.
  • This cortex layer contains unique structural modifications, differing from vegetative cell peptidoglycan.
  • Cortex synthesis occurs post-engulfment, involving proteins from both forespore and mother cell compartments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and specificity of germination-specific lytic enzymes in bacterial endospore cortex degradation.
  • To understand the mechanisms differentiating spore cortex hydrolysis from vegetative cell wall integrity.
  • To compare cortex degradation strategies between different bacterial families like Bacillaceae and Clostridiaceae.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of spore coat and cortex composition.
  • Identification and characterization of germination-specific lytic enzymes (e.g., SleB, CwlJ, SleC).
  • Enzyme activity assays and specificity studies focusing on cortex hydrolysis.

Main Results:

  • Germination-specific lytic enzymes recognize the muramic-δ-lactam modification in the cortex peptidoglycan.
  • Bacillus species utilize redundant enzymes (SleB, CwlJ), while Clostridia rely on a single enzyme (SleC) for cortex degradation.
  • Enzymes differ in activity and activation mechanisms, ensuring cortex hydrolysis only during germination.

Conclusions:

  • The muramic-δ-lactam modification serves as a conserved specificity determinant for spore cortex hydrolysis.
  • Redundancy in enzyme systems (Bacillus) versus single enzymes (Clostridia) reflects divergent evolutionary strategies for spore germination.
  • Strict regulation of lytic enzyme activation is critical for maintaining spore dormancy and ensuring successful germination.