scholarly journals Heterogeneity of RNA polymerase in Bacillus subtilis: evidence for an additional sigma factor in vegetative cells.

1981 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 2762-2766 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Wiggs ◽  
M. Z. Gilman ◽  
M. J. Chamberlin
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Vegetative Cells

scholarly journals DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from vegetative cells and from spores of Bacillus subtilis

FEBS Letters ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 269-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C.C. Maia ◽  
P. Kerjan ◽  
J. Szulmajster
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Vegetative Cells

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Analysis of the Stationary-Phase Sigma Factor (Sigma-H) Regulon of Bacillus subtilis

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (17) ◽  
pp. 4881-4890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Britton ◽  
Patrick Eichenberger ◽  
Jose Eduardo Gonzalez-Pastor ◽  
Paul Fawcett ◽  
Rita Monson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Transcriptional Profiling ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Nutrient Sources ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Sigma H

ABSTRACT Sigma-H is an alternative RNA polymerase sigma factor that directs the transcription of many genes that function at the transition from exponential growth to stationary phase in Bacillus subtilis. Twenty-three promoters, which drive transcription of 33 genes, are known to be recognized by sigma-H-containing RNA polymerase. To identify additional genes under the control of sigma-H on a genome-wide basis, we carried out transcriptional profiling experiments using a DNA microarray containing >99% of the annotated B. subtilis open reading frames. In addition, we used a bioinformatics-based approach aimed at the identification of promoters recognized by RNA polymerase containing sigma-H. This combination of approaches was successful in confirming most of the previously described sigma-H-controlled genes. In addition, we identified 26 putative promoters that drive expression of 54 genes not previously known to be under the direct control of sigma-H. Based on the known or inferred function of most of these genes, we conclude that, in addition to its previously known roles in sporulation and competence, sigma-H controls genes involved in many physiological processes associated with the transition to stationary phase, including cytochrome biogenesis, generation of potential nutrient sources, transport, and cell wall metabolism.

scholarly journals Expression of spoIIIJ in the Prespore Is Sufficient for Activation of σG and for Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (13) ◽  
pp. 3905-3917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Serrano ◽  
Luísa Côrte ◽  
Jason Opdyke ◽  
Charles P. Moran, ◽  
Adriano O. Henriques
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Mother Cell ◽  
Asymmetric Division ◽  
Developmental Program ◽  
Inactive Form

ABSTRACT During sporulation in Bacillus subtilis, the prespore-specific developmental program is initiated soon after asymmetric division of the sporangium by the compartment-specific activation of RNA polymerase sigma factor σF. σF directs transcription of spoIIIG, encoding the late forespore-specific regulator σG. Following synthesis, σG is initially kept in an inactive form, presumably because it is bound to the SpoIIAB anti-sigma factor. Activation of σG occurs only after the complete engulfment of the prespore by the mother cell. Mutations in spoIIIJ arrest sporulation soon after conclusion of the engulfment process and prevent activation of σG. Here we show that σG accumulates but is mostly inactive in a spoIIIJ mutant. We also show that expression of the spoIIIGE155K allele, encoding a form of σG that is not efficiently bound by SpoIIAB in vitro, restores σG-directed gene expression to a spoIIIJ mutant. Expression of spoIIIJ occurs during vegetative growth. However, we show that expression of spoIIIJ in the prespore is sufficient for σG activation and for sporulation. Mutations in the mother cell-specific spoIIIA locus are known to arrest sporulation just after completion of the engulfment process. Previous work has also shown that σG accumulates in an inactive form in spoIIIA mutants and that the need for spoIIIA expression for σG activation can be circumvented by the spoIIIGE155K allele. However, in contrast to the case for spoIIIJ, we show that expression of spoIIIA in the prespore does not support efficient sporulation. The results suggest that the activation of σG at the end of the engulfment process involves the action of spoIIIA from the mother cell and of spoIIIJ from the prespore.

scholarly journals Replacement of Vegetative ςA by Sporulation-Specific ςF as a Component of the RNA Polymerase Holoenzyme in Sporulating Bacillus subtilis

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (8) ◽  
pp. 2346-2350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Lord ◽  
Daniela Barillà ◽  
Michael D. Yudkin
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Sigma Factors ◽  
Relative Affinity ◽  
Rna Polymerase Holoenzyme ◽  
Quantitative Western Blotting

ABSTRACT Soon after asymmetric septation in sporulating Bacillus subtilis cells, ςF is liberated in the prespore from inhibition by SpoIIAB. To initiate transcription from its cognate promoters, ςF must compete with ςA, the housekeeping sigma factor in the predivisional cell, for binding to core RNA polymerase (E). To estimate the relative affinity of E for ςA and ςF, we made separate mixtures of E with each of the two sigma factors, allowed reconstitution of the holoenzyme, and measured the concentration of free E remaining in each mixture. The affinity of E for ςF was found to be about 25-fold lower than that for ςA. We used quantitative Western blotting to estimate the concentrations of E, ςA, and ςF in sporulating cells. The cellular concentrations of E and ςA were both about 7.5 μM, and neither changed significantly during the first 3 h of sporulation. The concentration of ςF was extremely low at the beginning of sporulation, but it rose rapidly to a peak after about 2 h. At its peak, the concentration of ςF was some twofold higher than that of ςA. This difference in concentration cannot adequately account for the replacement of ςA holoenzyme by ςF holoenzyme in the prespore, and it seems that some further mechanism—perhaps the synthesis or activation of an anti-ςA factor—must be responsible for this replacement.

scholarly journals A Mutation in the Bacillus subtilis rsbU Gene That Limits RNA Synthesis during Sporulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Rothstein ◽  
David Lazinski ◽  
Marcia S. Osburne ◽  
Abraham L. Sonenshein
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Ethanol Stress ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Promoter Recognition ◽  
Bacillis Subtilis

ABSTRACT Mutants of Bacillis subtilis that are temperature sensitive for RNA synthesis during sporulation were isolated after selection with a 32P suicide agent. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that two of the mutants carried an identical lesion in the rsbU gene, which encodes a phosphatase that indirectly activates SigB, the stress-responsive RNA polymerase sigma factor. The mutation appeared to cause RsbU to be hyperactive, because the mutants were more resistant than the parent strain to ethanol stress. In support of this hypothesis, pseudorevertants that regained wild-type levels of sporulation at high temperature had secondary mutations that prevented expression of the mutant rsbU gene. The properties of these RsbU mutants support the idea that activation of SigB diminishes the bacterium's ability to sporulate. IMPORTANCE Most bacterial species encode multiple RNA polymerase promoter recognition subunits (sigma factors). Each sigma factor directs RNA polymerase to different sets of genes; each gene set typically encodes proteins important for responses to specific environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature, salt concentration, and nutrient availability. A selection for mutants of Bacillus subtilis that are temperature sensitive for RNA synthesis during sporulation unexpectedly yielded strains with a point mutation in rsbU, a gene that encodes a protein that normally activates sigma factor B (SigB) under conditions of salt stress. The mutation appears to cause RsbU, and therefore SigB, to be active inappropriately, thereby inhibiting, directly or indirectly, the ability of the cells to transcribe sporulation genes.

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