title: The role of sigma F in prespore-specific transcription in Bacillus subtilis.
abstract: Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is a simple developmental system in which a single cell undergoes differentiation to two 'sister' cells, namely the prespore and the sporangium. Prespore-specific gene expression is largely dependent on the synthesis of a transcription factor, sigma G. Transcription of spolllG, the gene encoding sigma G, is under precise temporal and spatial control, requiring the products of at least eight genes that are expressed in the pre-divisional cell. Here we show that the product of one of these genes, another sigma factor, sigma F, is by itself sufficient to direct transcription of spolllG in non-sporulating cells. The results indicate that the cell-specificity of prespore gene expression is determined by a mechanism that exerts temporal and spatial control over the activity of sigma F.
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Partridge
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Foulger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Errington
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009876:Operon; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D012808:Sigma Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; C092468:spoIIR protein, Bacillus subtilis; C030069:spore-specific proteins, Bacillus