The sigma E subunit of Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase is present in both forespore and mother cell compartments.
Bacillus subtilis cells harvested 3.5 h after the onset of sporulation (t3.5) were fractionated into extracts enriched in either mother cell or forespore components and were analyzed immunologically for sigma E and its precursor protein, P31. We determined by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis that equivalent amounts of P31 and sigma E were present in both mother cell and forespore extracts. This result implies that, although sigma E is not synthesized until a stage in development when the cell is partitioned into progenitor forespore and mother cell compartments, it probably directs the transcription of genes that are expressed in both of these structures.
Carlson
H C
HC
Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7758.
Haldenwang
W G
WG
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000201:enzymology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D012808:Sigma Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases