INTERMEDIATE METABOLISM OF AEROBIC SPORES IV. Bacillus cereus

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Abstract
A study of the interaction of L-alanine with aerobic spores indicates that intact spores contain an intrasporal heat-activation-dependent system that converts exogenous alanine as well as endogenous reserves to pyruvate and ammonia. Only 10% of the ammonia and 11% of the pyruvate were derived from exogenous alanine as demonstrated by the use of DL-alanine-N15 and DL-alanine-l-C14. The deamination of alanine can occur in the absence of germination. Pyruvate, produced from either endogenous or exogenous sources, is rapidly metabolized. Inhibition of pyruvate metabolism precludes germination. During the early stages of germination the exogenous alanine is preferentially utilized as a catabolic substrate.