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Endospore Formation Stage 3 - Engulfment of Forespore -

In normal cell division the formation of the septum is followed by the development of a transverse cell wall

In sporulation, however, the membrane of the larger cell invaginates towards the pole of the cell and engulfs the forespore.

This is brought about by continued proliferation of the septal membrane and a translocation of the base of the septum towards the pole of the cell.

The forespore is thus enclosed by two concentric sets of membranes, its own (inner forespore membrane) and the D1embrane derived from the larger cell (outer forespore membrane).

This is what actually takes place in sporulation-specific calcium accumulation.

The reversed polarity is biochemically confirmed in B. megatherium forespore by the location of ATPase, NADH dehydrogenase and L-malate dehydrogenase activities.

Eaton and Elar (1974) reported that though spore-specific protein synthesis continues in the forespore from stages III to VI, the turnover of protein is confined to the larger mother-cell compartment.

This indicates that mother-cell amino acids can be taken up by the forespore. The mature spore and forespore Jack the biosynthetic enzymes for amino acids such as methioine and arginine.

This suggests that transport from the mother cell to the forespore may be essential. Sporulating cells take up exogenous uracil and DNA, which are transported into the forespore.

The synthesis of the enzymes of the TCA and glyoxylate cycles as well as catalase and alkaline ,phosphatase takes place during stage III. Sulpholactic acid is also synthesized.