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Expression of Genes Coding for GerA and GerK Spore Germination Receptors Is Dependent on the Protein Phosphatase PrpE

Krzysztof Hinc,¹ Krzysztofa Nagórska,¹ Adam Iwanicki,² Grzegorz Wgrzyn,¹ Simone J. Séror,³ and Micha Obuchowski^2*

Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdask, Kadki 24, 80-822 Gdask, Poland,¹ Department of Medical Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG-AMG, Medical University of Gdask, Dbinki 1, 80-211 Gdask, Poland,² Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 409, 91-405 Orsay Cedex, France³

Received 9 December 2005/ Accepted 17 March 2006

The ability of Bacillus subtilis to form spores is a strategy for survival under unfavorable environmental conditions. It is equally crucial to break spore dormancy and return to vegetative growth at the appropriate time. Here we present data showing that the PrpE phosphatase is involved in the control of expression of genes coding for GerA receptors, which are necessary for L-alanine-induced spore germination. Moreover, PrpE is also involved in aspartic acid, glucose, fructose, and potassium (AGFK)-induced spore germination by controlling expression of genes coding for GerK receptors. In the absence of PrpE, the production of spores was essentially normal. However, L-alanine-induced spore germination and, to a lesser extent, the AGFK-induced pathway were abolished. In contrast, the germination pathway dependent on Ca²⁺-dipicolinate or dodecylamine remained intact. A protein phosphatase PrpE-green fluorescent protein fusion was localized to the prespore and to the dormant spore, consistent with a role in controlling expression of genes coding for GerA receptors. We propose that PrpE is an important element in a signal transduction pathway in Bacillus subtilis that controls the expression of genes coding for germination receptors.

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