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Sensitivity ofBacillus subtilis sporulation to methylene blue inhibition

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Abstract

The dye methylene blue was found to inhibit sporulation inBacillus subtilis 168. The compound blocked spore formation at concentrations subinhibitory to vegetative growth while allowing synthesis of serine protease, antibiotic, and certain catabolite-repressed enzymes. The sporulation process was sensitive to the inhibitor through T6, but germination and outgrowth were not affected by the presence of the compound. The inhibition of sporulation may be related to the ability of the compound to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Microbiology, Arizona State University, 85281, Tempe, Arizona, USA

    William F. Burke Jr., Thomas J. Pietuch & Steven A. Yee

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  1. William F. Burke Jr.
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  2. Thomas J. Pietuch
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  3. Steven A. Yee
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Burke, W.F., Pietuch, T.J. & Yee, S.A. Sensitivity ofBacillus subtilis sporulation to methylene blue inhibition. Current Microbiology 2, 227–231 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02601718

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