Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:35
Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination
Published on: June 25, 2016
The nucleotide sequence of a spore germination gene (gerA) of Bacillus subtilis 168
Gene
|January 1, 1985
Abstract:
The nucleotide sequence of a 2.1-kb fragment of Bacillus subtilis DNA that contains part of the spore germination locus, gerA, has been determined. An open reading frame (ORF) of 1440 bp (480 codons) has been identified which corresponds to the previously located complementation unit I of the gerA locus. The orientations of transcription of the gerA and of the adjacent fumarase (citG) gene are divergent. The deduced polypeptide product of the gerA gene, of Mr 53 506, contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains and is likely to be membrane-associated.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Endospores and Sporulation
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,...
01:17Gene Regulation During Sporulation
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...