Cloning and Sequencing of the Spore Germination Gene of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 12872: Similarities to the NaH-Antiporter Gene of Enterococcus hirae

The germination mutant TM-31 of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 12872, was isolated by transposon Tn917 insertional mutagenesis. Glucose, L-proline, L-leucine and KNO, germinated TM-31 poorly. The DNA in the region of the Tn917 insertion was cloned, and its nucleotide sequence determined. One major open reading fi-ame was present on the cloned DNA. The hydrophobic protein encoded is presumably membrane- associated. A homology search revealed that the gene encoded in the region of the Tn917 insertion is homol- ogous to napA of Enterococcus hirae. napA codes for the NaH-antiporter. It is hypothesized that transport of cations must play an important role in spore germination in B. megaterium ATCC 12872.