title: Urea-mercaptoethanol-soluble protein from spores of Bacillus thuringiensis and other species.
abstract: Treatment with urea-mercaptoethanol of purified spores of Bacillus thuringiensis, other Bacillus species, and Clostridium roseum solubilizes a protein fraction between 5 and 12% of the dry weight of the spores. This fraction behaves identically to the crystal protein of B. thuringiensis on acrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The protein from all of the Bacillus species shows partial homology with crystal protein, using the Ouchterlony immunodiffusion technique. A further fraction, similar in amount, can be removed from spores of B. thuringiensis by the addition of sodium lauryl sulfate to the urea-mercaptoethanol. Spores of B. thuringiensis extracted in these ways show no difference when compared to untreated spores with respect to viability or resistance to heat and ultraviolet-irradiation. The extracted spores do show differences in their germination requirements and their susceptibility to phase-darkening by lysozyme. It is concluded that an urea-mercaptoethanol-soluble protein or class of protein is a widespread component of bacterial spores, possibly located in the spore coat, and that this protein may be related to the crystal protein of B. thuringiensis.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D001407:Bacillus / Q000032:analysis*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D013170:Spores / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014508:Urea / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010848:Picolinic Acids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D014508:Urea; D009113:Muramidase; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium