On the role of penicillin-binding protein SpoVD in endospore cortex assembly
Popular Abstract in English An endospore, which can be formed by some bacteria, is a dormant and extremely endurable state which helps the cell to survive long periods of harsh environmental conditions. The penicillin-binding protein SpoVD in Bacillus subtilis is essential for the synthesis of the endospore cortex, a protective layer consisting of modified peptidoglycan. In depth investigation of Bacteria of the genera Bacillus and Clostridium can form endospores as a strategy to survive unfavourable environmental conditions. Endospore formation involves synthesis of cortex, a thick layer of modified peptidoglycan that surrounds the spore. This layer is required for heat resistance of the spore and mutant spores lacking the cortex layer can be identified by a simple heat shock assay. B. su