Interestingly, a more recent study has shown that the GerH receptor was sufficient for low-level germination in the pres- ence of inosine and diverse amino acids (4). Meanwhile, either the GerK or the GerL receptor was independently sufficient for germination at high L-alanine concentrations. Hence, it seems that individual Ger receptor selectivities broadly over- lap. This allows Ger receptors to partially compensate for deleted functions, thus allowing low-level germination even if most Ger receptors are disabled (4).