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gerT, a Newly Discovered Germination Gene under the Control of the Sporulation Transcription Factor ^K in Bacillus subtilis

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Received 4 July 2007/ Accepted 20 August 2007

We report the identification of a gene, herein designated gerT (formerly yozR), that is involved in germination by spores of Bacillus subtilis. The gerT gene is induced late in sporulation under the positive control of the transcription factor ^K and under the negative control of the DNA-binding protein GerE. The gerT gene product (GerT) is a component of the spore coat, and its incorporation into the coat takes place in two stages. GerT initially assembles into foci, which then spread around the developing spore in a process that is dependent on the morphogenetic protein CotE. Mutant spores lacking GerT respond poorly to multiple germinants and are impaired at an early stage of germination.

Published ahead of print on 24 August 2007.