Membrane changes during germination of Bacillus megaterium KM spores

Abstract

Bacillus megaterium KM dormant spore inner membrane ATPase exhibits a ten-fold increase in specific activity during the first 10 min of germination in the absence of protein synthesis. During this time period both in the presence and absence of chloramphenicol extensive proteolysis of spore inner membrane takes place, which results in degradation of approximately half of the membrane protein. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reveals the extent and selectivity of this degradation of inner membrane protein.