The chemical inhibition of an enzyme induced germination of bacterial spores

Abstract

Spores of Bacillus subtilis germinate rapidly in phosphate buffer upon the addition of the enzyme subtilopeptidase-A. This enzyme induced germination is inhibited by p-choloro-m-cresol. The effects have been found of preincubating intact spores with the inhibitor, of preincubating enzyme with the inhibitor, and of preincubating spores, enzyme, and inhibitor together. In every case when the inhibitor is suitably neutralized the spores will germinate normally.