Abstract
The spore coat protein CotA of Bacillus subtilis displays similarities with multicopper oxidases, including manganese oxidases and laccases. B. subtilis is able to oxidize manganese, but neither CotA nor other sporulation proteins are involved. We demonstrate that CotA is a laccase. Syringaldazine, a specific substrate of laccases, reacted with wild-type spores but not with DeltacotA spores. CotA may participate in the biosynthesis of the brown spore pigment, which appears to be a melanin-like product and to protect against UV light.
MeSH terms
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Bacillus subtilis / enzymology*
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Bacillus subtilis / radiation effects
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Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
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Binding Sites
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Copper / metabolism*
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Culture Media
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Laccase
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Manganese / metabolism
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Melanins / metabolism
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Oxidoreductases / chemistry
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Oxidoreductases / genetics
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Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
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Pigments, Biological / metabolism
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Spores, Bacterial / metabolism*
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Ultraviolet Rays
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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Culture Media
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Melanins
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Pigments, Biological
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Manganese
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Copper
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Oxidoreductases
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Laccase