EFFECT OF WITHHOLDING GLUTAMIC ACID AND ASPARAGINE ON THE GERMINATION OF SPORES OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Abstract

When glutamic acid and asparagine are deleted from the germination medium, spores of B. subtilis Marburg strain are prevented from developing to the point that they increase in optical density. The block caused by this deletion occurs at an early stage in germination, immediately succeeding the initial stage. Although there is synthesis of material (as measured by incorporation of labeled phosphate into the acid-insoluble portion of the germinating spore), in the absence of these amino acids, the material plays no part in germinative development.