title: The silicon layer supports acid resistance of Bacillus cereus spores.
abstract: Silicon (Si) is considered to be a "quasiessential" element for most living organisms. However, silicate uptake in bacteria and its physiological functions have remained obscure. We observed that Si is deposited in a spore coat layer of nanometer-sized particles in Bacillus cereus and that the Si layer enhances acid resistance. The novel acid resistance of the spore mediated by Si encapsulation was also observed in other Bacillus strains, representing a general adaptation enhancing survival under acidic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8530, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hirota
authors.forename: Yumehiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Takenori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuroda
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012825:Silicon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid; D012825:Silicon