This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Amiteye, S. Articles by Sato, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Amiteye, S. Articles by Sato, T.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Journal of Bacteriology, September 2003, p. 5306-5309, Vol. 185, No. 17
0021-9193/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JB.185.17.5306-5309.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Bacillus subtilis Diacylglycerol Kinase (DgkA) Enhances Efficient Sporulation

International Environmental and Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509,¹ Graduate School of Information Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan²

Received 27 January 2003/ Accepted 2 June 2003

The sn-1,2-diacylglycerol kinase homologue gene, dgkA, is a sporulation gene indispensable for the maintenance of spore stability and viability in Bacillus subtilis. After 6 h of growth in resuspension medium, the endospore morphology of the dgkA mutant by standard phase-contrast microscopy was normal; however, after 9 h, the endospores appeared mostly dark by phase-contrast microscopy, suggesting a defect in the spores. Moreover, electron microscopic studies revealed an abnormal cortex structure in mutant endospores 6 h after the onset of sporulation, an indication of cortex degeneration. In addition, a significant decrease in the dipicolinic acid content of mutant spores was observed. We also found that dgkA is expressed mainly during the vegetative phase. It seems likely that either the DgkA produced during growth prepares the cell for an essential step in sporulation or the enzyme persists into sporulation and performs an essential function.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Jerga, A., Lu, Y.-J., Schujman, G. E., de Mendoza, D., Rock, C. O. (2007). Identification of a Soluble Diacylglycerol Kinase Required for Lipoteichoic Acid Production in Bacillus subtilis. J. Biol. Chem. 282: 21738-21745 [Abstract] [Full Text]