Abstract
Kinetic and cofactor studies strongly suggest that dipicolinic acid activates the soluble reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH) oxidase of spores by an electron accepting mechanism. The flavin requirement for oxidation of dihydrodipicolinic acid places dipicolinic acid between DPNH and flavin in the electron transport sequence. A method for purification and some properties of the soluble DPNH oxidase of spores are presented. The significance of the dipicolinic acid stimulation of the soluble oxidase is discussed in relation to spore morphogenesis.