THE DEVELOPMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ALANINE DEHYDROGENASE IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS

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Abstract
Mutants deficient in alanine dehydrogenase (AID) activity have been isolated by a plate assay method. Whereas they sporulated normally, germination could no longer be initiated by L-alanine or its analogues. Nevertheless, the addition of these compounds, or of Ca-dipicolinate, or buffer alone, to AID-spores did cause a partial decrease of OD625. indi- cating the release of some compounds (s). This release seems to reduce dormancy. In addition, L-alanine or its analogues specifically trigger some other reaction required for germination. Further studies on the AID-strain and another mutant revealed that ammonia is assimilated by aspartase rather than AID. AID is therefore a developmental rather than a basic enzyme.