Open AccessCharacterization of a spore‐specific protein of the B acillus cereus group
Author(s) -
From Cecilie,
Voort Menno,
Abee Tjakko,
Granum Per Einar
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2012.02562.x
Subject(s) - bacillus cereus , cereus , biology , regulon , gene , spore , microbiology and biotechnology , genome , bacteria , antiserum , genetics , transcription factor , antibody
Bc1245 is a monocistronic chromosomal gene of B acillus cereus ATCC 14579 encoding a putative protein of 143 amino acids identified in this study to have a spore‐related function in B . cereus . Bc1245 is highly conserved in the genome of members of the B . cereus group, indicating an important function of the gene in this group of bacteria. Quantitative PCR revealed that bc1245 is transcribed late in sporulation (upon formation of phase‐bright spores) and at the same time as the mother cell–specific transcription factor σ K . The σ K regulon includes structural components of the spore (such as coat proteins), and it is therefore plausible that bc1245 might encode a structural outer spore protein. This was confirmed by detection of BC 1245 in exosporium extracts from B . cereus by immunoblotting against BC 1245 antiserum.