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The regulation of genetic competence in Bacillus subtilis
Author(s) -
Dubnau D.
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.tb01820.x
Subject(s) - bacillus subtilis , biology , competence (human resources) , gene , genetics , gene expression , regulation of gene expression , computational biology , transcription factor , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , psychology , social psychology
Summary Genetic competence develops as a global response of Bacillus subtilis to the onset of stationary phase, in glucose‐minimal salts‐based media. The onset of competence is accompanied by the expression of several late gene products that are required for the binding, processing and uptake of transforming DNA. A number of regulatory genes have been identified that are needed for the appropriate synthesis of the late gene products. The regulatory gene products include a number of known transcription factors, as well as several members of the bacterial two‐component regulatory system. Genetic analysis has suggested a scheme for the flow of regulatory information signaling the onset of competence. Most of these regulatory products appear to be involved in the response to nutritional status, while the components responsible for growth stage and cell‐type‐specific control remain unknown. The general implications of this scheme for post‐exponential expression are discussed.