Permeability of dormant spores of Bacillus subtilis to gramicidin S

Abstract

Gramicidin S, dissolved in ethanol, penetrated into the inside of the dormant spores of Bacillus subtilis, had a partial inhibitory effect on l-alanine-initiated germination and completely inhibited their outgrowth and vegetative growth. The activity of particulate NADH oxidase of the antibiotic-treated dormant spores was also influenced significantly. Abnormal morphological changes were observed in germinated spores from gramicidin S-treated dormant spores. An immunoelectron microscopy method with colloidal gold-IgG complex showed that the penetration site of gramicidin S inside dormant spores was mainly the core region. These facts suggest that gramicidin S induces the damage of not only the outer membrane-spore coat complex but also the inner membrane surrounding the spore protoplast, and is able to penetrate into the core region of B. subtilis dormant spores.