title: Biochemistry of L-proline-triggered germination of Bacillus megaterium spores.
abstract: The mechanism by which L-proline triggers germination in Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 spores was investigated. First, brief exposure of spores to L-proline, followed by dilution, was sufficient to trigger germination. Once germination was triggered, the spores continued initiation of germination and did not require high concentrations of L-proline. Triggering of germination was pH and temperature dependent. Second, enzymes for L-proline catabolism were absent in spores, and several non-metabolizable analogs of L-proline were effective trigger compounds. Third, triggering of germination occurred in the presence of inhibitors of proton motive force production, oxygen uptake, and metabolism. Fourth, uptake of L-proline occurred after the triggering of germination. These results argue that neither uptake nor metabolism of L-proline was necessary to trigger germination. Instead, L-proline probably causes a biophysical alteration in the spores that triggers the biochemical changes in germination.
mesh_terms: D001410:Bacillus megaterium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011392:Proline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D011392:Proline