CONTROL OF SPORE GERMINATION

摘要

Provided is a method of stimulating germination of a spore of a Gram-positive bacterium. Also provided is a method of inhibiting germination of a spore of a Gram-positive bacterium. Additionally provided is a composition comprising (i) a preparation of cell walls from a Gram-positive bacterium or (ii) a compound that stimulates activity of a serine/threonine protein kinase of the Gram-positive bacterium or (iii) a compound that inhibits activity of a PPM-like phosphatase of the Gram-positive bacterium. Also provided is a composition comprising an antibiotic and a compound that inhibits activity of a serine/threonine protein kinase of a Gram-positive bacterium. A method of treating a mammal infected with a spore-forming Gram-positive bacterium is additionally provided. A method of decontaminating an environment, a method of determining whether a compound inhibits germination of a spore, and a method of determining whether a compound stimulates germination of a spore of a Gram-positive bacterium are also provided.