Receptors for chemotaxis in Bacillus subtilis

At least three receptors for chemotaxis toward L-amino acids in Bacillus subtilis could be found with the aid of taxis competition experiments. They are called the asparagine receptor, which detects asparagine and glutamine, the isoleucine receptor, which detects isoleucine, leucine, valine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, cysteine, and methionine, and the alanine receptor, which detects alanine and proline. Histidine and glycine could not be assigned to one of these receptors. Cysteine and methionine were found to be general inhibitors of chemotaxis and serine was found to be a general stimulator of chemotaxis. Some structural analogues of amino acids were tested for chemotactic activity. The chemotactic activity of B. subtilis is compared with that of Escherichia coli.

Control of chromosome replication in thymine-requiring strains of Bacillus subtilis 168

Study of the replication pattern of a number of B. subtilis 168 strains under controlled physiological conditions revealed great interstrain variation in control of replication. Replication patterns were calculated from ratios of purA16/leu-8 and purA16/metB5 transformation frequency. The thymine-independent strains are under strict regulation with an average of one replication position per chromosome during log phase. After starvation for required amino acids or sporulation, the chromosome is in a completed state with no replication forks (class I). In contrast, several thymine-requiring strains (class III) have an average of three to four replication positions per chromosome during log phase (multiforked replication) of which one to two remain uncompleted after amino acid starvation or sporulation. The other thymine-requiring strains studied are intermediate (class II) in that they have an average of two replication positions per chromosome during log phase and one after amino acid starvation or sporulation. Pulse chase experiments indicate that the deoxyribonucleic acid which is close to the chromosomal origin on each branch of the multiforked chromosome is bound to a rapidly sedimenting cellular fraction, presumably membrane.

Motility of Bacillus subtilis during growth and sporulation

The change of motility and the presence of flagella were followed throughout growth and sporulation in a standard sporulating strain and in 19 cacogenic sporulation mutants of Bacillus subtilis. For the standard strain, the fraction of motile cells decreased during the developmental period to less than 10% at T4. Motility was lost well before the cells lose their flagella. Conditions reducing the decrease of motility also reduced sporulation: motile cells never contained spores. The decrease of motility was not coupled with a decrease in the cellular concentration of adenosine 5'-triphosphate or a decline in oxygen consumption, but an uncoupling agent immediately destroyed motility at any time. Apparently, motility decreased during development because it became increasingly uncoupled from the energy generating systems of the cell. The motility of sporulation mutants decreased after the end of growth at the same time as or earlier than the motility of the standard strain; the early decrease of motility in an aconitase mutant, but not that in an alpha-ketoglurate dehydrogenase mutant, could be avoided by addition of L-glutamate. Sporulation or related events such as extracellular antibiotic or protease production were not needed for the motility decline.

[Characteristics of spore-forming bacteria of the genus Bacillus that break down caprolactam]

Five strains of sporeforming bacteria were isolated from sewage of capron industry and their morphological, cultural, as well as physiological and biochemical properties were investigated. Four strains were identified as Bacillus subtilis and one as Bacillus pumilus. The cultures were able to grow in mineral medium with caprolactam as a source of carbon and nitrogen. The influence of growth conditions on the rate of caprolactam decomposition in synthetic medium was studied.

Purification and characterization of an inhibitor of phospholipase A1 in Bacillus subtilis

The protoplasts of a mutant of Bacillus subtilis 168 (B. subtilis CMK33) are osmotically fragile when compared to protoplasts of the parent organism and contain an active, membrane-associated phospholipase A1. A protein found in the parent organism specifically inhibits the phospholipase A1 (Kent, C., and Lennarz, W.J. (1972) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 69, 2793-2797). The inhibitor exists in both a soluble and particulate form. The soluble inhibitor is not found in the cytoplasm, but rather in a "periplasmic" fraction released from the cell during incubation with lysozyme. The soluble inhibitor has been purified to homogeneity by diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and hydroxylapatite chromatography. Its molecular weight is 28,000 to 32,000 as determined by gel filtration chromatography and 36,000 to 37,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-urea gel electrophoresis. The inhibitor appears to inactivate the membrane bound phospholipase A1 by an enzymatic process that is dependent on time and protein concentration. Binding of the inhbitor to the membrane-associated phospholipase cannot be detected. When purified inhibitor is added to cells of B. subtilis CMK33 during treatment with lysozyme, the osmotic stability of the resultant protoplasts is similar to that of protoplasts of the wild type of organism.

The biological effectiveness of HZE-particles of cosmic radiation studied in the Apollo 16 and 17 Biostack experiments

The Biostack experiments I and II were flown on board the Apollo 16 and 17 command modules in order to obtain information on the biological damage produced by the bombardment of heavy high-energy (HZE) particles of cosmic radiation during spaceflight. Such data are required for estimating radiation hazards in manned spaceflight. Seven biological systems in resting state (Bacillus subtilis spores, Colpoda cucullus cysts, Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, and eggs of Artemia salina, Tribolium castaneum and of Carausius morosus) were accommodated in the two Biostacks. By using a special sandwich construction of visual track detectors and layers of biological objects, identification of each hit biological object was achieved and the possible biological damage correlated with the physical features of the responsible HZE-particle. In the different systems the degree of damage depended on whether the hit cell was replaceable or not. A high sensitivity to HZE-particle bombardment was observed on Artemia salina eggs; 90% of the embryos, which were induced to develop from hit eggs, died at different developmental stages. Malformations of the abdomen or the extremities of the nauplius were frequently induced. In contrast, the growth of hit Vicia faba radiculae and the germination of hit Arabidopsis thaliana seeds and hit Bacillus subtilis spores were not influenced remarkably. But there was an increase in multicaulous plants and a reduction in the outgrowth of the bacterial spores. In addition, information was obtained on the fluence of the HZE-particles, on their spectrum of charge and energy loss, and on the absorption by the Apollo spacecraft and the Biostack material itself. This will help to improve knowledge concerning radiation conditions inside of spacecrafts, necessary to secure a maximum possible protection to the astronauts.

Template specificity of transcription during sporulation of Bacillus subtilis

Partially purified extracts from sporulating Bacillussubtilis cultures transcribed different natural DNAs with different efficiencies. This template specificity results in an increased or a decreased synthetic activity with respect to extracts from vegetative cells, depending on the template used. With SPP1 DNA a decrease in activity occurs, whereas with T7 DNA an increased activity was observed, which is due to a higher efficiency of initiation. This is not an intrinsic property of RNA polymerase, but is due to some fraction(s) which can be separated from the enzyme. Together with invivo experiments on transcription and SPP1 phage production during sporulation, these results suggest a possible role of promoter recognition in sporulation.

Intergenotic transformation of the Bacillus subtilis genospecies

A multiple auxotrophic derivative of Bacillus subtilis 168 (strain BR151 carrying lys-3, trpC2, metB10) was transformed with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) isolated from B. subtilis 168, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens H, B. subtilis HSR, Bacillus pumilus, and Bacillus licheniformis. Transformation with heterologous DNA occurred at a very low frequency for the three auxotrophic markers. Heterologous transformation to rifampin resistance was 100 to 1,000 times more efficient than transformation to prototrophy. Transformants from the various heterologous exchanges were used to prepare donor DNA. The fragment of integrated DNA from the heterologous (foreign) species, termed the "intergenote," was capable of transforming BR151 with an efficiency almost equal to that of homologous DNA. When BR151 DNA contained the Rfm(R) (rifampin resistance) intergenote from B. amyloliquefaciens H, the frequency of transformation was frequently greater than that of the homologous DNA. Accompanying this increased efficiency was a marked change in the physiology of the cells. The growth rate of the transformants carrying this intergenote was approximately one-half that of either parental strain. Thus, in a prokaryotic transformation system, adverse side effects can occur after incorporation of a segment of foreign DNA.

Dry-heat resistance of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores on mated surfaces

Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores were placed on the surfaces of test coupons manufactured from typical spacecraft materials (stainless steel, magnesium, titanium, and aluminum). These coupons were then juxtaposed at the inoculated surfaces and subjected to test pressures of 0, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 psi. Tests were conducted in ambient, nitrogen, and helium atmospheres. While under the test pressure condition, the spores were exposed to 125 C for intervals of 5, 10, 20, 50, or 80 min, with survivor data being subjected to a linear regression analysis that calculated decimal reduction times. Differences in the dry-heat resistance of the test organism resulting from pressure, atmosphere, and material were observed.

Initial temperature sensitivity of streptomycin-dependent and tryptophan transformants of Bacillus subtilis

Cells of Bacillus subtilis transformed to str-d or trp+ display a period of temperature sensitivity. Normal thermal stability develops before division of the transformants.

Effect of low temperature on the growth and fine structure of Bacillus subtilis

Logarithmically growing cultures of Bacillus subtilis transferred from 37 to 15 C present atypical growth curves, and ultrathin sections of such cells reveal structural modifications involving mesosome deterioration and double cell wall formation. After a time, optical density and viable count increase, and cells regain the appearance typical of control cells, indicating a recovery from thermal stress. Subcultures of such recovered cells continue to grow well at 15 C. Cultures transferred from 37 to 12 C show atypical growth and fine structure, although no recovery from this stress is seen. Cultures previously grown at 15 C continue to grow at 12 C, and, furthermore, do not show the ultrastructural alterations seen in similar cells with a 37 C thermal history. The results of these studies suggest that low temperatures induce structural modifications in B. subtilis, that the response of a population to thermal stress may change during the period of the stress, and that thermal history may influence the response of a population to thermal stress.

Survival and growth of potential microbial contaminants in severe environments

Studies conducted in our laboratory have established that a number of potential soil microbes could survive a simulated Martian environment. In view of the uncertainty of the Martian environment and the importance of noncontamination of extraterrestrial bodies, studies were performed with common soil microbes to determine the minimal environment necessary to produce a complete growth cycle. The effects of diurnal temperature cycling (+25 degrees C to -65 degrees C) and of limiting concentrations of moisture and oxygen on spore germination, vegetative growth and sporulation of Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis have been determined. The results indicated that diurnally temperature-cycled heat-shocked spores of B. cereus in the simulated Martian atmosphere: 1) survived when the moisture concentration was < or = 4%; 2) germinated but became nonviable when the moisture concentration was > 4 < 8%; 3) germinated with subsequent vegetative growth when a) the moisture concentration was > or = 8%, and b) the concentration was > or = 6% and the partial pressure of oxygen was 15 mm; 4) sporulated when the moisture concentration was > or = 6% and the partial pressure of oxygen was 15 mm. Similar data for heat-shocked spores of B. subtilis in the simulated Martian atmosphere, diurnally temperature-cycled, indicated that the spores: 1) survived when the moisture concentration was > or = 6%; 2) germinated but became nonviable when the moisture concentration was > 1 < 4%; 3) germinated with subsequent vegetative growth when the moisture concentration was > or = 8%; 4) sporulated when the moisture concentration was > or = 6% and the partial pressure of oxygen was > or = 10 mm. Preliminary studies with B. cereus and B. subtilis spores produced in the simulated Martian environment and reintroduced into this environment indicated that vegetative cell growth and sporulation were normal. These data are discussed with regard to the probability of contamination of extraterrestrial bodies.

EFFECTS OF SOME MECHANICAL FACTORS ON THE ENDOSPORES OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Knaysi, Georges (Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.) and Harold R. Curran . Effects of some mechanical factors on the endospores of Bacillus subtilis . J. Bacteriol. 82: 691–694. 1961.—Phase contrast microscopy was used to study incipient spore germination and early growth under conditions involving agitation with a platinum wire loop, sonic oscillation, and freezing and thawing. Treatment resulted in change in optical properties and destruction of a certain proportion of the spores. Up to one-tenth of the spores was destroyed by loop agitation. Sonic oscillation had little apparent effect upon incipient germination (darkening) of the spores, but subsequent development involving growth was stimulated in a considerable proportion. The effect of freezing and thawing upon incipient germination is discussed.