Properties of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis mutants which lack the protease that degrades small, acid-soluble proteins during spore germination.

During germination of spores of Bacillus species the degradation of the spore's pool of small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) is initiated by a protease termed GPR, the product of the gpr gene. Bacillus megaterium and B. subtilis mutants with an inactivated gpr gene grew, sporulated, and triggered spore germination as did gpr+ strains. However, SASP degradation was very slow during germination of gpr mutant spores, and in rich media the time taken for spores to return to vegetative growth (defined as outgrowth) was much longer in gpr than in gpr+ spores. Not surprisingly, gpr spores had much lower rates of RNA and protein synthesis during outgrowth than did gpr+ spores, although both types of spores had similar levels of ATP. The rapid decrease in the number of negative supertwists in plasmid DNA seen during germination of gpr+ spores was also much slower in gpr spores. Additionally, UV irradiation of gpr B. subtilis spores early in germination generated significant amounts of spore photoproduct and only small amounts of thymine dimers (TT); in contrast UV irradiation of germinated gpr+ spores generated almost no spore photoproduct and three to four times more TT. Consequently, germinated gpr spores were more UV resistant than germinated gpr+ spores. Strikingly, the slow outgrowth phenotype of B. subtilis gpr spores was suppressed by the absence of major alpha/beta-type SASP. These data suggest that (i) alpha/beta-type SASP remain bound to much, although not all, of the chromosome in germinated gpr spores; (ii) the alpha/beta-type SASP bound to the chromosome in gpr spores alter this DNA's topology and UV photochemistry; and (iii) the presence of alpha/beta-type SASP on the chromosome is detrimental to normal spore outgrowth.     

Different small, acid-soluble proteins of the alpha/beta type have interchangeable roles in the heat and UV radiation resistance of Bacillus subtilis spores.

Spores of Bacillus subtilis strains which carry deletion mutations in one gene (sspA) or two genes (sspA and sspB) which code for major alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) are known to be much more sensitive to heat and UV radiation than wild-type spores. This heat- and UV-sensitive phenotype was cured completely or in part by introduction into these mutant strains of one or more copies of the sspA or sspB genes themselves; multiple copies of the B. subtilis sspD gene, which codes for a minor alpha/beta-type SASP; or multiple copies of the SASP-C gene, which codes for a major alpha/beta-type SASP of Bacillus megaterium. These findings suggest that alpha/beta-type SASP play interchangeable roles in the heat and UV radiation resistance of bacterial spores.     

Effects of inactivation or overexpression of the sspF gene on properties of Bacillus subtilis spores.

Inactivation of the Bacillus subtilis sspF gene had no effect on sporulation, spore resistance, or germination in a wild-type strain or one lacking DNA protective alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP). Overexpression of SspF in wild-type spores or in spores lacking major alpha/beta-type SASP (alpha- beta- spores) had no effect on sporulation but slowed spore outgrowth and restored a small amount of UV and heat resistance to alpha- beta- spores. In vitro analyses showed that SspF is a DNA binding protein and is cleaved by the SASP-specific protease (GPR) at a site similar to that cleaved in alpha/beta-type SASP. SspF was also degraded during spore germination and outgrowth, and this degradation was initiated by GPR.     

The Bacillus subtilis HBsu protein modifies the effects of alpha/beta-type, small acid-soluble spore proteins on DNA

HBsu, the Bacillus subtilis homolog of the Escherichia coli HU proteins and the major chromosomal protein in vegetative cells of B. subtilis, is present at similar levels in vegetative cells and spores ( approximately 5 x 10(4) monomers/genome). The level of HBsu in spores was unaffected by the presence or absence of the alpha/beta-type, small acid-soluble proteins (SASP), which are the major chromosomal proteins in spores. In developing forespores, HBsu colocalized with alpha/beta-type SASP on the nucleoid, suggesting that HBsu could modulate alpha/beta-type SASP-mediated properties of spore DNA. Indeed, in vitro studies showed that HBsu altered alpha/beta-type SASP protection of pUC19 from DNase digestion, induced negative DNA supercoiling opposing alpha/beta-type SASP-mediated positive supercoiling, and greatly ameliorated the alpha/beta-type SASP-mediated increase in DNA persistence length. However, HBsu did not significantly interfere with the alpha/beta-type SASP-mediated changes in the UV photochemistry of DNA that explain the heightened resistance of spores to UV radiation. These data strongly support a role for HBsu in modulating the effects of alpha/beta-type SASP on the properties of DNA in the developing and dormant spore.     

Synthesis of a Bacillus subtilis small, acid-soluble spore protein in Escherichia coli causes cell DNA to assume some characteristics of spore DNA.

Small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) of the alpha/beta-type are associated with DNA in spores of Bacillus subtilis. Induction of synthesis of alpha/beta-type SASP in Escherichia coli resulted in rapid cessation of DNA synthesis, followed by a halt in RNA and then protein accumulation, although significant mRNA and protein synthesis continued. There was a significant loss in viability associated with SASP synthesis in E. coli: recA+ cells became extremely long filaments, whereas recA mutant cells became less filamentous. The nucleoids of cells with alpha/beta-type SASP were extremely condensed, as viewed in both light and electron microscopes, and immunoelectron microscopy showed that the alpha/beta-type SASP were associated with the cell DNA. Induction of alpha/beta-type SASP synthesis in E. coli increased the negative superhelical density of plasmid DNA by approximately 20%; UV irradiation of E. coli with alpha/beta-type SASP gave reduced yields of thymine dimers but significant amounts of the spore photoproduct. These changes in E. coli DNA topology and photochemistry due to alpha/beta-type SASP are similar to the effects of alpha/beta-type SASP on the DNA in Bacillus spores, further suggesting that alpha/beta-type SASP are a major factor determining DNA properties in bacterial spores.     

Effect of a small, acid-soluble spore protein from Clostridium perfringens on the resistance properties of Bacillus subtilis spores

Alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) are essential for the resistance of DNA in spores of Bacillus species to damage. An alpha/beta-type SASP, Ssp2, from Clostridium perfringens was expressed at significant levels in B. subtilis spores lacking one or both major alpha/beta-type SASP (alpha- and alpha- beta- strains, respectively). Ssp2 restored some of the resistance of alpha- beta- spores to UV and nitrous acid and of alpha- spores to dry heat. Ssp2 also restored much of the resistance of alpha- spores to nitrous acid and restored full resistance of alpha- spores to UV and moist heat. These results further indicate the interchangeability of alpha/beta-type SASP in DNA protection in spores.     

Effects of mutant small, acid-soluble spore proteins from Bacillus subtilis on DNA in vivo and in vitro.

alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) of Bacillus subtilis bind to DNA and alter its conformation, topology, and photochemistry, and thereby spore resistance to UV light. Three mutations have been introduced into the B. subtilis sspC gene, which codes for the alpha/beta-type wild-type SASP, SspCwt. One mutation (SspCTyr) was a conservative change, as residue 29 (Leu) was changed to Tyr, an amino acid found at this position in other alpha/beta-type SASP. The other mutations changed residues conserved in all alpha/beta-type SASP. In one (SspCAla), residue 52 (Gly) was changed to Ala; in the second (SspCGln), residue 57 (Lys) was changed to Gln. The effects of the wild-type and mutant SspC on DNA properties were examined in vivo in B. subtilis spores and Escherichia coli as well as in vitro with use of purified protein. Both SspCwt and SspCTyr interacted similarly with DNA in vivo and in vitro, restoring much UV resistance to spores lacking major alpha/beta-type SASP, causing a large increase in plasmid negative supercoiling, and altering DNA UV photochemistry from cell type to spore type. In contrast, SspCAla had no detectable effect on DNA properties in vivo or in vitro, while SspCGln had effects intermediate between those of SspCAla and SspCwt. Strikingly, neither SspCAla nor SspCGln bound well to DNA in vitro. These results confirm the importance of the conserved primary sequence of alpha/beta-type SASP in the ability of these proteins to bind to spore DNA and cause spore UV resistance.     

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of small, acid-soluble spore proteins in sporulating cells of Bacillus subtilis.

Small, acid-soluble spore proteins SASP-alpha, SASP-beta, and SASP-gamma as well as a SASP-beta-lacZ gene fusion product were found only within the forespore compartment of sporulating Bacillus subtilis cells by using immunoelectron microscopy. The alpha/beta-type SASP were associated almost exclusively with the forespore nucleoid, while SASP-gamma was somewhat excluded from the nucleoid. These different locations of alpha/beta-type and gamma-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins within the forespore are consistent with the different roles for these two types of proteins in spore resistance to UV light.     

Effects of major spore-specific DNA binding proteins on Bacillus subtilis sporulation and spore properties

Sporulation of a Bacillus subtilis strain (termed alpha(-) beta(-)) lacking the majority of the alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) that are synthesized in the developing forespore and saturate spore DNA exhibited a number of differences from that of the wild-type strain, including delayed forespore accumulation of dipicolinic acid, overexpression of forespore-specific genes, and delayed expression of at least one mother cell-specific gene turned on late in sporulation, although genes turned on earlier in the mother cell were expressed normally in alpha(-) beta(-) strains. The sporulation defects in alpha(-) beta(-) strains were corrected by synthesis of chromosome-saturating levels of either of two wild-type, alpha/beta-type SASP but not by a mutant SASP that binds DNA poorly. Spores from alpha(-) beta(-) strains also exhibited less glutaraldehyde resistance and slower outgrowth than did wild-type spores, but at least some of these defects in alpha(-) beta(-) spores were abolished by the synthesis of normal levels of alpha/beta-type SASP. These results indicate that alpha/beta-type SASP may well have global effects on gene expression during sporulation and spore outgrowth.     

Properties of Bacillus subtilis small, acid-soluble spore proteins with changes in the sequence recognized by their specific protease.

Alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) of dormant spores of Bacillus subtilis bind to DNA and increase its resistance to a variety of damaging agents both in vivo and in vitro. When spores germinate, degradation of alpha/beta-type SASP is rapidly initiated by a sequence-specific protease, which is termed GPR. Three mutations have been introduced into the B. subtilis sspC gene, which codes for the wild-type alpha/beta-type SASP SspCwt; all three mutations change residues in the highly conserved sequence recognized by GPR. In one mutant protein (SspCV), residue 33 (Ser) was changed to Val; in the second (SspCDL), residues 30 and 31 (Glu and Ile) were changed to Asp and Leu, respectively; and in the third mutant protein (SspCDLV), residues 30, 31, and 33 were changed to Asp, Leu, and Val. All three mutant proteins were rapidly degraded by GPR during spore germination, and SspCDL and SspCDLV were degraded by GPR in vitro at rates 8 to 9% of that for SspCwt, although not exclusively at the single site cleaved by GPR in SspCwt. These results indicate (i) that the sequence specificity of GPR is broader than originally imagined and (ii) that GPR can cleave the sequence in SspCDLV. Since the latter sequence is identical to that cleaved during the proteolytic activation of GPR, this result further supports an autoprocessing model for GPR activation during sporulation. The properties of these mutant proteins were also examined, both in vivo in B. subtilis spores and in Escherichia coli and in vitro with purified protein. SspC(v) interacted with DNA similarly to SspC(wt) in vivo, resorting UV and heat resistance to spores lacking major alpha/beta-type SASP to the same extent as SspC(wt). In contrasst, SspC(DL) had much less effect on DNA properties in vivo and bound strongly only to poly(dG) . poly(dC) in vitro; SspC(DLV) exhibited only weak binding to poly(dG).poly(dC) in vitro. These results confirm the importance of the conserved primary sequence of alpha/beta-type SASP in the binding of these proteins to spore DNA and alteration of DNA properties and show further that the GRP recognition region in alpha/beta-type SASP plays some role in DNA binding.     

Equilibrium and kinetic binding interactions between DNA and a group of novel, nonspecific DNA-binding proteins from spores of Bacillus and Clostridium species

Binding of alpha/beta-type small acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) is the major determinant of DNA resistance to damage caused by UV radiation, heat, and oxidizing agents in spores of Bacillus and Clostridium species. Analysis of several alpha/beta-type SASP showed that these proteins have essentially no secondary structure in the absence of DNA, but become significantly alpha-helical upon binding to double-stranded DNAs or oligonucleotides. Folding of alpha/beta-type SASP induced by a variety of DNAs and oligonucleotides was measured by CD spectroscopy, and this allowed determination of a DNA binding site size of 4 base pairs as well as equilibrium binding parameters of the alpha/beta-type SASP-DNA interaction. Analysis of the equilibrium binding data further allowed determination of both intrinsic binding constants (K) and cooperativity factors (omega), as the alpha/beta-type SASP-DNA interaction was significantly cooperative, with the degree of cooperativity depending on both the bound DNA and the salt concentration. Kinetic analysis of the interaction of one alpha/beta-type SASP, SspC(Tyr), with DNA indicated that each binding event involves the dimerization of SspC(Tyr) monomers at a DNA binding site. The implications of these findings for the structure of the alpha/beta-type SASP.DNA complex and the physiology of alpha/beta-type SASP degradation during spore germination are discussed.     

Photosensitization of DNA by dipicolinic acid, a major component of spores of Bacillus species.

The DNA in spores of Bacillus species exhibits a relatively novel photochemistry, as 5-thyminyl-5,6-dihydrothymine (spore photoproduct (SP)) is by far the major UV photoproduct whereas cyclobutane dimers (CPDs) and (6-4) photoproducts (6-4PPs) are the major photoproducts in growing cells. Dehydration and more importantly complexation of DNA by alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) have been shown to partly explain the photochemistry of spore DNA. The large amount ( approximately 10% of dry weight) of the spore's dipicolinic acid (DPA) also has been shown to play a role in spore DNA photochemistry. In the present work we showed by exposing spores of various strains of B. subtilis to UVC radiation that DPA photosensitizes spore DNA to damage and favors the formation of SP. The same result was obtained in either the presence or absence of the alpha/beta-type SASP that saturate the spore chromosome. Addition of DPA to dry films of isolated DNA or to frozen solutions of thymidine also led to a higher yield of SP and increased ratio of CPDs to 6-4PPs; DPA also significantly increased the yield of CPDs in thymidine exposed to UVC in liquid solution. These observations strongly support a triplet energy transfer between excited DPA and thymine residues. We further conclude that the combined effects of alpha/beta-type SASP and DPA explain the novel photochemistry of DNA in spores of Bacillus species.     

Heat, hydrogen peroxide, and UV resistance of Bacillus subtilis spores with increased core water content and with or without major DNA-binding proteins.

Spores of a Bacillus subtilis strain with an insertion mutation in the dacB gene, which codes for an enzyme involved in spore cortex biosynthesis, have a higher core water content than wild-type spores. Spores lacking the two major alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) (termed alpha-beta- spores) have the same core water content as do wild-type spores, but alpha-beta- dacB spores had more core water than did dacB spores. The resistance of alpha-beta-, alpha-beta- dacB, dacB, and wild-type spores to dry and moist heat, hydrogen peroxide, and UV radiation has been determined, as has the role of DNA damage in spore killing by moist heat and hydrogen peroxide. These data (i) suggest that core water content has little if any role in spore UV resistance and are consistent with binding of alpha/beta-type SASP to DNA being the major mechanism providing protection to spores from UV radiation; (ii) suggest that binding of alpha/beta-type SASP to DNA is the major mechanism unique to spores providing protection from dry heat; (iii) suggest that spore resistance to moist heat and hydrogen peroxide is affected to a large degree by the core water content, as increased core water resulted in large decreases in spore resistance to these agents; and (iv) indicate that since this decreased resistance (i.e., in dacB spores) is not associated with increased spore killing by DNA damage, spore DNA must normally be extremely well protected against such damage, presumably by the saturation of spore DNA by alpha/beta-type SASP.     

Analysis of deamidation of small, acid-soluble spore proteins from Bacillus subtilis in vitro and in vivo.

Deamidation of one specific asparagine residue in an alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore protein (SASP) of Bacillus subtilis took place readily in vitro (time for 50% deamidation [t(1/2)], approximately 1 h at 70 degrees C), and the deamidated SASP no longer bound to DNA effectively. However, DNA binding protected against this deamidation in vitro. A mutant alpha/beta-type SASP in which the reactive asparagine was changed to aspartate also failed to bind to DNA in vitro, and this protein did not restore UV radiation and heat resistance to spores lacking the majority of their alpha/beta-type SASP. When expressed in Escherichia coli, where it is bound to DNA, the alpha/beta-type SASP deamidated with a t(1/2) of 2 to 3 h at 95 degrees C. However, the alpha/beta-type SASP was extremely resistant to deamidation within spores (t(1/2), >50 h at 95 degrees C). A gamma-type SASP of B. subtilis also deamidated readily in vitro (t(1/2) for one net deamidation, approximately 1 h at 70 degrees C), but this protein (which is not associated with DNA) deamidated fairly readily in spores (t(1/2), approximately 1 h at 95 degrees C). Total spore core protein also deamidated in vivo, although the rate was two- to threefold slower than that of deamidation of total protein in heated vegetative cells. These data indicate that protein deamidation is slowed significantly in spores, presumably due to the spore's environment. However, alpha/beta-type SASP are even more strongly protected against deamidation in vivo, presumably by their binding to spore DNA. Thus, not only do alpha/beta-type SASP protect spore DNA from damage; DNA also protects alpha/beta-type SASP.     

Small, acid-soluble proteins bound to DNA protect Bacillus subtilis spores from killing by dry heat.

Dry Bacillus subtilis spores lacking their two major DNA-binding proteins (small, acid-soluble proteins [SASP] alpha and beta) were much more sensitive to dry heat than were wild-type spores. Survivors of dry heat treatment of both wild-type and mutant spores exhibited a high frequency of mutations, and the DNA from the heated spores had increased numbers of single-strand breaks. These data indicate that SASP alpha and beta provide significant protection to spore DNA against the damaging effects of dry heat. This DNA damage may be in part depurination, and a purified alpha/beta-type SASP gave significant protection against dry heat-induced DNA depurination in vitro.     

Mechanisms of killing of spores of Bacillus subtilis by iodine, glutaraldehyde and nitrous acid

Treatment of wild-type spores of Bacillus subtilis with glutaraldehyde or an iodine-based disinfectant (Betadine) did not cause detectable mutagenesis, and spores (termed alpha-beta-) lacking the major DNA-protective alpha/beta-type, small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) exhibited similar sensitivity to these agents. A recA mutation did not sensitize wild-type or alpha-beta- spores to Betadine or glutaraldehyde, nor did spore treatment with these agents result in significant expression of a recA-lacZ fusion when the treated spores germinated. Spore glutaraldehyde sensitivity was increased dramatically by removal of much spore coat protein, but this treatment had no effect on Betadine sensitivity. In contrast, nitrous acid treatment of wild-type and alpha-beta- spores caused significant mutagenesis, with alpha-beta- spores being much more sensitive to this agent. A recA mutation further sensitized both wild-type and alpha-beta- spores to nitrous acid, and there was significant expression of a recA-lacZ fusion when nitrous acid-treated spores germinated. These results indicate that: (a) nitrous acid kills B. subtilis spores at least in part by DNA damage, and alpha/beta-type SASP protect against this DNA damage; (b) killing of spores by glutaraldehyde or Betadine is not due to DNA damage; and (c) the spore coat protects spores against killing by glutaraldehyde but not Betadine. Further analysis also demonstrated that spores treated with nitrous acid still germinated normally, while those treated with glutaraldehyde or Betadine did not.     

Spores of Bacillus subtilis: their resistance to and killing by radiation, heat and chemicals

A number of mechanisms are responsible for the resistance of spores of Bacillus species to heat, radiation and chemicals and for spore killing by these agents. Spore resistance to wet heat is determined largely by the water content of spore core, which is much lower than that in the growing cell protoplast. A lower core water content generally gives more wet heat-resistant spores. The level and type of spore core mineral ions and the intrinsic stability of total spore proteins also play a role in spore wet heat resistance, and the saturation of spore DNA with alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) protects DNA against wet heat damage. However, how wet heat kills spores is not clear, although it is not through DNA damage. The alpha/beta-type SASP are also important in spore resistance to dry heat, as is DNA repair in spore outgrowth, as Bacillus subtilis spores are killed by dry heat via DNA damage. Both UV and gamma-radiation also kill spores via DNA damage. The mechanism of spore resistance to gamma-radiation is not well understood, although the alpha/beta-type SASP are not involved. In contrast, spore UV resistance is due largely to an alteration in spore DNA photochemistry caused by the binding of alpha/beta-type SASP to the DNA, and to a lesser extent to the photosensitizing action of the spore core's large pool of dipicolinic acid. UV irradiation of spores at 254 nm does not generate the cyclobutane dimers (CPDs) and (6-4)-photoproducts (64PPs) formed between adjacent pyrimidines in growing cells, but rather a thymidyl-thymidine adduct termed spore photoproduct (SP). While SP is formed in spores with approximately the same quantum efficiency as that for generation of CPDs and 64PPs in growing cells, SP is repaired rapidly and efficiently in spore outgrowth by a number of repair systems, at least one of which is specific for SP. Some chemicals (e.g. nitrous acid, formaldehyde) again kill spores by DNA damage, while others, in particular oxidizing agents, appear to damage the spore's inner membrane so that this membrane ruptures upon spore germination and outgrowth. There are also other agents such as glutaraldehyde for which the mechanism of spore killing is unclear. Factors important in spore chemical resistance vary with the chemical, but include: (i) the spore coat proteins that likely react with and detoxify chemical agents; (ii) the relative impermeability of the spore's inner membrane that restricts access of exogenous chemicals to the spore core; (iii) the protection of spore DNA by its saturation with alpha/beta-type SASP; and (iv) DNA repair for agents that kill spores via DNA damage. Given the importance of the killing of spores of Bacillus species in the food and medical products industry, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of spore resistance and killing may lead to improved methods for spore destruction.     

Prevention of DNA damage in spores and in vitro by small, acid-soluble proteins from Bacillus species.

The DNA in dormant spores of Bacillus species is saturated with a group of nonspecific DNA-binding proteins, termed alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP). These proteins alter DNA structure in vivo and in vitro, providing spore resistance to UV light. In addition, heat treatments (e.g., 85 degrees C for 30 min) which give little killing of wild-type spores of B. subtilis kill > 99% of spores which lack most alpha/beta-type SASP (termed alpha - beta - spores). Similar large differences in survival of wild-type and alpha - beta - spores were found at 90, 80, 65, 22, and 10 degrees C. After heat treatment (85 degrees C for 30 min) or prolonged storage (22 degrees C for 6 months) that gave > 99% killing of alpha - beta - spores, 10 to 20% of the survivors contained auxotrophic or asporogenous mutations. However, alpha - beta - spores heated for 30 min at 85 degrees C released no more dipicolinic acid than similarly heated wild-type spores (< 20% of the total dipicolinic acid) and triggered germination normally. In contrast, after a heat treatment (93 degrees C for 30 min) that gave > or = 99% killing of wild-type spores, < 1% of the survivors had acquired new obvious mutations, > 85% of the spore's dipicolinic acid had been released, and < 1% of the surviving spores could initiate spore germination. Analysis of DNA extracted from heated (85 degrees C, 30 min) and unheated wild-type spores and unheated alpha - beta - spores revealed very few single-strand breaks (< 1 per 20 kb) in the DNA. In contrast, the DNA from heated alpha- beta- spores had more than 10 single-strand breaks per 20 kb. These data suggest that binding of alpha/beta-type SASP to spore DNA in vivo greatly reduces DNA damage caused by heating, increasing spore heat resistance and long-term survival. While the precise nature of the initial DNA damage after heating of alpha- beta- spores that results in the single-strand breaks is not clear, a likely possibility is DNA depurination. A role for alpha/beta-type SASP in protecting DNA against depurination (and thus promoting spore survival) was further suggested by the demonstration that these proteins reduce the rate of DNA depurination in vitro at least 20-fold.     

Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of genes for small, acid-soluble spore proteins of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, and "Thermoactinomyces thalpophilus"

As found previously with other Bacillus species, spores of B. stearothermophilus and "Thermoactinomyces thalpophilus" contained significant levels of small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) which were rapidly degraded during spore germination and which reacted with antibodies raised against B. megaterium SASP. Genes coding for a B. stearothermophilus and a "T. thalpophilus" SASP as well as for two B. cereus SASP were cloned, their nucleotide sequences were determined, and the amino acid sequences of the SASP coded for were compared. Strikingly, all of the amino acid residues previously found to be conserved in this group of SASP both within and between two other Bacillus species (B. megaterium and B. subtilis) were also conserved in the SASP coded for by the B. cereus genes as well as those coded for by the genes from the more distantly related organisms B. stearothermophilus and "T. thalpophilus." This finding strongly suggests that there is significant selective pressure to conserve SASP primary sequence and thus that these proteins serve some function other than simply amino acid storage.