title: Cloning, nucleotide sequence, and regulation of the Bacillus subtilis gpr gene, which codes for the protease that initiates degradation of small, acid-soluble proteins during spore germination.
abstract: The gpr gene, which codes for the protease that initiates degradation of small, acid-soluble proteins during spore germination, has been cloned from Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis, and its nucleotide sequence has been determined. Use of a translational gpr-lacZ fusion showed that the B. subtilis gpr gene was expressed primarily, if not exclusively, in the forespore compartment of the sporulating cell, with expression taking place approximately 1 h before expression of glucose dehydrogenase and ssp genes. gpr-lacZ expression was abolished in spoIIAC (sigF) and spoIIIE mutants but was reduced only approximately 50% in a spoIIIG (sigG) mutant. However, the kinetics of the initial approximately 50% of gpr-lacZ expression were unaltered in a spoIIIG mutant. The in vivo transcription start site of gpr has been identified and found to be identical to the in vitro start site on this gene with either E sigma F or E sigma G. Induction of sigma G synthesis in vivo turned on gpr-lacZ expression in parallel with synthesis of glucose dehydrogenase. These data are consistent with gpr transcription during sporulation first by E sigma F and then by E sigma G.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Sussman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Setlow
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001410:Bacillus megaterium / Q000235:genetics; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005838:Genotype; D042843:Glucose 1-Dehydrogenase; D005948:Glucose Dehydrogenases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007700:Kinetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005948:Glucose Dehydrogenases; D042843:Glucose 1-Dehydrogenase; D010450:Endopeptidases