Different small, acid-soluble proteins of the alpha/beta type have interchangeable roles in the heat and UV radiation resistance of Bacillus subtilis spores

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6019697

Mason, J M; Setlow, P

Spores of Bacillus subtilis strains which carry deletion mutations in one gene (sspA) or two genes (sspA and sspB) which code for major alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) are known to be much more sensitive to heat and UV radiation than wild-type spores. This heat- and UV-sensitive phenotype was cured completely or in part by introduction into these mutant strains of one or more copies of the sspA or sspB genes themselves; multiple copies of the B. subtilis sspD gene, which codes for a minor alpha/beta-type SASP; or multiple copies of the SASP-C gene, which codes for a major alpha/beta-type SASP of Bacillus megaterium. These findings suggest that alpha/beta-type SASP play interchangeable roles in the heat and UV radiation resistance of bacterial spores.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington
• OSTI ID: 6019697
• Journal Information: J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 169:8; ISSN JOBAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560130* -- Radiation Effects on Microorganisms
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACILLUS
BACILLUS SUBTILIS
BACTERIA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY
GENES
HEAT
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENOTYPE
PROTEINS
RADIATIONS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
SPORES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION