The outermost proteinaceous layer of bacterial spores, called the coat, is critical for spore survival, germination, and, for pathogenic spores, disease. To identify novel spore coat proteins, we have carried out a preliminary proteomic analysis of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus anthracis spores, using a combination of standard sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separation and improved two-dimensional electrophoretic separations, followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight and/or dual mass spectrometry. We identified 38 B. subtilis spore proteins, 12 of which are known coat proteins. We propose that, of the novel proteins, YtaA, YvdP, and YnzH are bona fide coat proteins, and we have renamed them CotI, CotQ, and CotU, respectively. In addition, we initiated a study of coat proteins in B. anthracis and identified 11 spore proteins, 6 of which are candidate coat or exosporium proteins. We also queried the unfinished B. anthracis genome for potential coat proteins. Our analysis suggests that the B. subtilis and B. anthracis coats have roughly similar numbers of proteins and that a core group of coat protein species is shared between these organisms, including the major morphogenetic proteins. Nonetheless, a significant number of coat proteins are probably unique to each species. These results should accelerate efforts to develop B. anthracis detection methods and understand the ecological role of the coat.

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heterodera avenae) and Hessian fly (HF, Mayetiola destructor) are two major pests affecting wheat crops worldwide including important cereal areas of Spain. Aegilops ventricosa and Ae. triuncialis were used as donors in a strategy to introduce resistance genes (RG) for these pests in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Two 42 chromosomes introgression lines have been derived from Ae. ventricosa: H-93-8 and H-93-33 carrying genes Cre2 and H27 conferring resistance to CCN and HF, respectively. Line TR-3531 with 42 chromosomes has been derived from Ae. triuncialis and carries RGs conferring resistance for CCN (Cre7) and for HF (H30). Alien material has been incorporated in lines H-93 by chromosomal substitution and recombination, while in line TR-3531 homoeologous recombination affecting small DNA fragments has played a major role. It has been demonstrated that Cre2, Cre7, H27 and H30 are major single dominant genes and not allelic of other previously described RGs. Biochemical and molecular-biology studies of the defense mechanism triggered by Cre2 and Cre7 have revealed specific induction of peroxidase and other antioxidant enzymes. In parallel to these basic studies advanced lines carrying resistance genes for CNN and/or HF have been developed. Selection was done using molecular markers for eventually «pyramiding» resistance genes. Several isozyme and RAPD markers have been described and, currently, new markers based on transposable elements and NBS-LRR sequences are being developed. At present, two advanced lines have already been included at the Spanish Catalogue of Commercial Plant Varieties.Additional key words: Aegilops triuncialis, Aegilops ventricosa, cereal cyst nematode, Hessian fly, resistance genes, Triticum aestivum. Resumen Revisión. Caracterización y selección de trigos hexaploides con resistencia a Heterodera avenae o Mayetiola destructor transferida desde AegilopsEl nematodo del quiste de los cereales (CCN, Heterodera avenae) y el mosquito del trigo (HF, Mayetiola destructor) son dos plagas que afectan a los cultivos de trigo incluyendo importantes áreas cerealistas en España. Aegilops ventricosa y Ae. triuncialis se han usado como donantes en una estrategia para introducir genes de resistencia (RG) para estas plagas en trigo hexaploide (Triticum aestivum L.). Por una parte, a partir de Ae. ventricosa se han generado dos líneas de introgresión de 42 cromosomas: H-93-8 y H-93-33, con los genes Cre2 y H27 que confieren resistencia a CCN y HF, respectivamente. Por otra, se ha generado la línea TR-3531 de 42 cromosomas, derivada de Ae. triuncialis, con RGs para CCN (Cre7) y HF (H30). La introgresión en las líneas H-93 se ha producido por sustitución cromosómica y recombinación, mientras que en la línea TR-3531 ha sido fundamentalmente por la recombinación homeóloga de pequeños fragmentos de ADN. Cre2, Cre7, H27 y H30 son genes dominantes simples, no alélicos a otros RGs previamente descritos. Estudios bioquímicos y de biología molecular sobre las defensas induci...