The megaplasmid pCER270 of Bacillus cereus emetic strain affects the timing of the sporulation process, spore resistance properties, and germination.

ABSTRACT: The Bacillus cereus group includes closely related spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria. In this group, plasmids play a crucial role in species differentiation and are essential for pathogenesis and adaptation to ecological niches. The B. cereus emetic strains are characterized by the presence of the pCER270 megaplasmid, which encodes the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase for the production of cereulide, the emetic toxin. This plasmid carries several genes that may be involved in the sporulation process. Furthermore, a transcriptomic analysis has revealed that pCER270 influences the expression of chromosome genes, particularly under sporulation conditions. In this study, we investigated the role of pCER270 on spore properties in different species of the B. cereus group.

SUBMITTER: Perchat S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11409700 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature