Probably contributes, directly or indirectly, to early events in germination (PubMed:28333204). May play a role in spore outgrowth (PubMed:9611260). Expressed in the forespore during sporulation. Expression is dependent on sigma G, and to a much lesser extent on sigma F. Mutant sporulates normally and has the same resistance to heat and UV radiation than wild-type spores. It exhibits no defect in the initiation of spore germination, but the spore outgrowth is slower than that of wild-type spores (PubMed:9611260). Mutant shows a reduced rate of spore germination in L-alanine (PubMed:28333204).