Relation between D‐Glucose and L‐ and D‐Alanine in the Initiation of Germination of Bacillus subtilis Spore

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Abstract
The rate of L-alanine-initiated germination of B. subtilis spore was measured by loss of heat resistance and loss of turbidity. The effect of glucose on the germination response was analyzed in the presence and absence of D-alanine, and inhibitor. Glucose stimulated L-alanine germination by means of a cooperative effect: glucose increased the affinity of L-alanine .apprx. 3-fold and the rate of germination .apprx. 1.3-fold. Glucose had little effect on the binding afffinity of D-alanine. The apparent binding constant of L-alanine to the spore, which was determined by the next measurable event in the trigger reaction, was 1.2 .times. 10-5, that of D-alanine was 6 .times. 10-6 and that of glucose was 5 .times. 10-5. The relation between the binding site for glucose and those for L- and D-alanine on the spore is discussed. Effect of glucose analogs was also examined.