l -ALANINE DEHYDROGENASE: A MECHANISM CONTROLLING THE SPECIFICITY OF AMINO ACID-INDUCED GERMINATION OF BACILLUS CEREUS SPORES

O'Connor , R. J. (University of Wisconsin, Madison), and Harlyn O. Halvorson . L-Alanine dehydrogenase: A mechanism controlling the specificity of amino acid-induced germination of Bacillus cereus spores. J. Bacteriol. 82: 706–713. 1961.—A study has been undertaken of the properties and specificity of germination of spores of Bacillus cereus strain T. In the absence of additional carbon sources, only l -alanine, l -α-NH 2 - n -butyric acid, and l -cysteine were effective germinating agents. The physical properties of germination, induced by l -alanine and l -α-NH 2 - n -butyric acid following extended heat shock, were in close agreement with those of l -alanine dehydrogenase. The specificity of the germination system, as well as amino acid deamination in vivo, support the view that l -alanine dehydrogenase activity is essential for germination and that the enzyme serves as the initial binding site for l -alanine in heat-shocked spores.