Heat killing of Bacillus subtilis spores in water is not due to oxidative damage.
The heat resistance of wild-type spores of Bacillus subtilis or spores (termed alpha-beta-) lacking DNA protective alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins was not altered by anaerobiosis or high concentrations of the free radical scavenging agents ethanethiol and ethanedithiol. Heat-killed wild-type and alpha-beta- spores exhibited no increase in either protein carbonyl content or oxidized bases in DNA. These data strongly suggest that oxidative damage to spore macromolecules does not contribute significantly to spore killing by heat.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06032, USA.
B
B
Setlow
P
P
Setlow
D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; C031854:1,2-ethanedithiol; C007638:ethanethiol