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Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis. Morphological changes
The Biochemical Journal
|October 1, 1968
Summary
Bacillus subtilis sporulation involves distinct morphological and biochemical changes over 7.5 hours. Key events include spore coat formation, heat resistance development, and correlation with cellular events.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bacillus subtilis is a model organism for studying bacterial sporulation.
- Sporulation is a complex process involving significant cellular differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the morphological and biochemical changes during Bacillus subtilis sporulation.
- To correlate these changes with specific time points and cellular structures.
Main Methods:
- Thin section electron microscopy of Bacillus subtilis cells during sporulation.
- Observation of morphological stages over a 7.5-hour period.
- Monitoring of refractility, 2,6-dipicolinic acid appearance, and heat resistance.
Main Results:
- Detailed morphological stages including axial filament formation, septum formation, cortex development, and spore coat completion.
- Appearance of refractile bodies, 2,6-dipicolinic acid, and heat resistance between 5 and 6.5 hours.
- Spore coat consists of inner and outer layers with electron-dense laminae; heat resistance correlates with coat completion.
Conclusions:
- Morphological and biochemical events of Bacillus subtilis sporulation are tightly correlated.
- Spore coat formation and associated biochemical changes are critical for heat resistance.
- Membrane continuity between spore septa and mesosomes suggests a role in early sporulation.