Calcium dipicolinic acid-induced germination of Bacillus cereus spores.

Keynan, A. (University of Wisconsin, Madison) and H. O. Halvorson. Calcium dipicolinic acid-induced germination of Bacillus cereus spores. J. Bacteriol. 83:100-105. 1962.-The germination of spores of Bacillus cereus strain T can be initiated by calcium dipicolinic acid. The kinetics of germination are characterized by a long lag period followed by a rapid loss of refractility. The lag period displays the temperature dependence of a metabolic reaction, whereas the rate of germination is relatively independent of temperature. Germination induced by calcium dipicolinic acid is insensitive to l-alanine analogues, is sensitive to metabolic poisons, and proceeds without a detectable activation stage. It was concluded that calcium dipicolinic acid-induced germination has a metabolic basis and differs, at least in its initial phases, from l-alanine-induced germination.