title: A transposon present in specific strains of Bacillus subtilis negatively affects nutrient- and dodecylamine-induced spore germination.
abstract: Spore germination shows a large inter-strain variability. Spores of certain Bacillus subtilis strains, including isolates from spoiled food products, exhibit different germination behavior from spores of the well-studied model organism Bacillus subtilis 168, often for unknown reasons. In this study, we analyzed spore germination efficiencies and kinetics of seventeen B. subtilis strains with previously sequenced genomes. A subsequent gene-trait matching analysis revealed a correlation between a slow germination phenotype and the presence of a mobile genetic element, i.e., a Tn1546-like transposon. A detailed investigation of the transposon elements showed an essential role of a specific operon (spoVA2mob) in inhibiting spore germination with nutrients and with the cationic surfactant dodecylamine. Our results indicate that this operon negatively influences release of Ca-DPA by the SpoVA channel and may additionally alter earlier germination events, potentially by affecting proteins in the spore inner membrane. The spoVA2moboperon is an important factor that contributes to inter-strain differences in spore germination. Screening for its genomic presence can be applied for identification of spores that exhibit specific properties that impede spore eradication by industrial processes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN), Nieuwe Kanaal 9A, 6709, PA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Antonina O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Krawczyk
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN), Nieuwe Kanaal 9A, 6709, PA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.|NIZO Food Research B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, 6718, ZB, Ede, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Erwin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Berendsen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN), Nieuwe Kanaal 9A, 6709, PA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.affiliation: Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN), Nieuwe Kanaal 9A, 6709, PA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.|NIZO Food Research B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, 6718, ZB, Ede, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boekhorst
authors.affiliation: Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN), Nieuwe Kanaal 9A, 6709, PA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.|NIZO Food Research B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, 6718, ZB, Ede, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marjon H J
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wells-Bennik
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN), Nieuwe Kanaal 9A, 6709, PA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Oscar P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Kuipers
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747, AG, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN), Nieuwe Kanaal 9A, 6709, PA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.|NIZO Food Research B.V, Kernhemseweg 2, 6718, ZB, Ede, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Robyn T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Eijlander
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics*; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D009876:Operon; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C003935:dodecylamine