Permeability of dormant spores of Bacillus subtilis to gramicidin S.
Gramicidin S, dissolved in ethanol, penetrated into the inside of the dormant spores of Bacillus subtilis, had a partial inhibitory effect on L-alanine-initiated germination and completely inhibited their outgrowth and vegetative growth. The activity of particulate NADH oxidase of the antibiotic-treated dormant spores was also influenced significantly. Abnormal morphological changes were observed in germinated spores from gramicidin S-treated dormant spores. An immunoelectron microscopy method with colloidal gold-IgG complex showed that the penetration site of gramicidin S inside dormant spores was mainly the core region. These facts suggest that gramicidin S induces the damage of not only the outer membrane-spore coat complex but also the inner membrane surrounding the spore protoplast, and is able to penetrate into the core region of B. subtilis dormant spores.
Tanimoto
Y
Y
Department of Microbiology, Nagoya City University Medical School, Japan.
Ichikawa
Y
Y
Yasuda
Y
Y
Tochikubo
K
K
D000409:Alanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D006096:Gramicidin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010539:Permeability; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D006096:Gramicidin; D000409:Alanine