[Formation of resting refractile cells in Bacillus cereus as affected by an autoregulatory factor]

Extracellular membrane-active compounds were shown to induce the transition of vegetative cells in the producing culture into resting refractile forms. The forms are characterized by the absence of energy, biosynthetic and destructive processes, by the capability to remain viable for a long time, and by a peculiar ultrafine organization. The physiological state and the ultrafine organization of B. cereus cells were found to change under the action of the autoregulatory factor introduced in the culture.