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 Igarashi, T. Articles by Setlow, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Igarashi, T. Articles by Setlow, P.

Transcription of the Bacillus subtilis gerK Operon, Which Encodes a Spore Germinant Receptor, and Comparison with That of Operons Encoding Other Germinant Receptors

Department of Molecular, Microbial, and Structural Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030-3305

Received 20 February 2006/ Accepted 16 March 2006

The gerA, gerB, and gerK operons, which encode germinant receptors in spores of Bacillus subtilis, were transcribed only in sporulation, and their mRNA levels peaked initially 3 h before the initiation of accumulation of the spore's dipicolinic acid. After a rapid fall, levels of these mRNAs peaked again 5 h later. In one wild-type strain (PS832), gerA mRNA was the most abundant, with levels of gerB and gerK mRNAs 50% of that of gerA mRNA, whereas gerB mRNA was the most abundant in another wild-type strain (PY79). The synthesis of gerK mRNA in sporulation was abolished by loss of the forespore-specific RNA polymerase sigma factor, ^G, and induction of ^G synthesis in vegetative cells led to synthesis of gerK mRNA. SpoVT, a regulator of ^G-dependent gene expression, repressed gerK expression. The gerK promoter showed sequence similarities to ^G-dependent promoters, and deletion of elements of this putative promoter abolished gerK expression in sporulation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Pelczar, P. L., Igarashi, T., Setlow, B., Setlow, P. (2007). Role of GerD in Germination of Bacillus subtilis Spores. J. Bacteriol. 189: 1090-1098 [Abstract] [Full Text]