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The role of σ F in prespore‐specific transcription in Bacillus subtilis
Author(s) -
Partridge S. R.,
Foulger D.,
Errington J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1991.tb00746.x
Subject(s) - biology , bacillus subtilis , gene , sigma factor , transcription (linguistics) , transcription factor , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene expression , promoter , bacteria , linguistics , philosophy
Summary Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is a simple developmental system in which a single cell undergoes differentiation to two ‘sister’ cells, namely the prespore and the sporangium. Prespore‐specific gene expression is largely dependent on the synthesis of a transcription factor, σ G . Transcription of spolllG , the gene encoding σ G , is under precise temporal and spatial control, requiring the products of at least eight genes that are expressed in the pre‐divisional cell. Here we show that the product of one of these genes, another sigma factor, σ F , is by itself sufficient to direct transcription of spolllG in non‐sporulating cells. The results indicate that the cell‐specificity of prespore gene expression is determined by a mechanism that exerts temporal and spatial control over the activity of σ F .