Open AccessRecent progress in B acillus subtilis sporulation
Author(s) -
Higgins Douglas,
Dworkin Jonathan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2011.00310.x
Subject(s) - bacillus subtilis , biology , spore , morphogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , sporogenesis , bacteria , genetics , gene
The G ram‐positive bacterium B acillus subtilis can initiate the process of sporulation under conditions of nutrient limitation. Here, we review some of the last 5 years of work in this area, with a particular focus on the decision to initiate sporulation, DNA translocation, cell–cell communication, protein localization and spore morphogenesis. The progress we describe has implications not only just for the study of sporulation but also for other biological systems where homologs of sporulation‐specific proteins are involved in vegetative growth.