Abstract
Phosphorus metabolism in sporulating Bacillus megaterium was examined by the fractionation of phosphorus compounds in cells.
Marked changes in the amount of various phosphorus fractions prior to and during the endospore formation suggested that the intracellular reconstruction was occurring in these phases of spore formation. The contribution of intracellular phosphorus reserves, especially of polyphosphate, to the sporulation process was also suggested. Conspicuous decreases (up to onethird) in the amount of RNA and DNA during the course of liberation of free spores was observed. This was discussed in relation to the mode of free spore liberation.
