Role of GerKB in germination and outgrowth of Clostridium perfringens spores.
Previous work indicated that Clostridium perfringens gerKA gerKC spores germinate significantly, suggesting that gerKB also has a role in C. perfringens spore germination. We now find that (i) gerKB was expressed only during sporulation, likely in the forespore; (ii) gerKB spores germinated like wild-type spores with nonnutrient germinants and with high concentrations of nutrients but more slowly with low nutrient concentrations; and (iii) gerKB spores had lower colony-forming efficiency and slower outgrowth than wild-type spores. These results suggest that GerKB plays an auxiliary role in spore germination under some conditions and is required for normal spore viability and outgrowth.
Paredes-Sabja
Daniel
D
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, 97331, USA.
Setlow
Peter
P
Sarker
Mahfuzur R
MR
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D023061:Gene Order; D050296:Microbial Viability; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins