Molecular genetical and phenotypical analysis of the gerM spore germination gene of Bacillus subtilis 168.
The gerM gene, encoding a single product of 22.5 kDa, has been identified by subcloning and sequencing of DNA recovered from adjacent to a Tn917 insertion. The gene product has a potential lipoprotein signal sequence, but otherwise has no homology to known sequences. Spores of the gerM mutant were more heat sensitive than wild-type, but their dipicolinic acid content was normal. The level of cortical peptidoglycan in mutant spores is also normal but release at germination of hexosamine-containing fragments, the breakdown products of cortex degradation, is less complete than wild-type. The sporulation, resistance and germination phenotypes of the gerM mutant would be consistent with the gene product having a role, either directly or indirectly, in peptidoglycan synthesis during sporulation.
Slynn
G M
GM
Department of Genetics, University of Birmingham, UK.
Sammons
R L
RL
Smith
D A
DA
Moir
A
A
Corfe
B M
BM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000378:metabolism; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008967:Molecular Biology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C090079:GerM protein, Bacillus subtilis; D006595:Hexosamines; D010457:Peptidoglycan