The physical state of water in bacterial spores.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial spore, the hardiest known life form, can survive in a metabolically dormant state for many years and can withstand high temperatures, radiation, and toxic chemicals. The molecular basis of spore dormancy and resistance is not understood, but the physical state of water in the different spore compartments is thought to play a key role. To characterize this water in situ, we recorded the water (2)H and (17)O spin relaxation rates in D(2)O-exchanged Bacillus subtilis spores over a wide frequency range. The data indicate high water mobility throughout the spore, comparable with binary protein-water systems at similar hydration levels. Even in the dense core, the average water rotational correlation time is only 50 ps. Spore dormancy therefore cannot be explained by glass-like que

SUBMITTER: Sunde EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2780810 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature