title: Molecular characterization of regulatory elements controlling expression of the Bacillus subtilis recA+ gene.
abstract: Expression of the Bacillus subtilis recA gene is induced following DNA damage as well as during the development of the competent state. DNA damage-induction of the recA gene occurs by a RecA-dependent mechanism, whereas competence-induction occurs by a RecA-independent mechanism. To examine the molecular mechanisms that control the expression of the recA gene, a deletion analysis of the recA promoter region was performed. A regulatory region that is required for repression of recA expression was identified upstream of the recA promoter. Deletion of this regulatory region derepressed expression and abolished damage-induction of the recA promoter. Within this region are sequences similar to the consensus sequence that has been identified within DNA damage-inducible promoter regions of other B subtilis genes. Another regulatory region was identified that is required for the RecA-independent, competence-specific induction of the recA gene. Deletion of these sequences significantly reduced competence-induction of the recA promoter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County 21228.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cheo
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Bayles
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Yasbin
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011938:Rec A Recombinases / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
chemical_list: D011938:Rec A Recombinases