Histochemical studies and electron microscopy of Bacillus subtilis revealed the presence of ATPase in various subcellular fractions. The enzyme was preferentially localized in mesosomes, cytoplasmic membrane, periplasmic space, and cell wall.
In Bacillus subtilis grown under aeration at 37° for 24 h in liquid nutrient medium containing the nonionic detergents octylphenol-polyethylene glycol ether or polyoxyethylene monocetyl ether, increasing the concentrations of the detergents led to a decrease in the amount of protease secreted from the cells and abolished sporulation. Possible mechanisms by which these detergents caused these actions are discussed.
