title: Effects of inactivation or overexpression of the sspF gene on properties of Bacillus subtilis spores.
abstract: Inactivation of the Bacillus subtilis sspF gene had no effect on sporulation, spore resistance, or germination in a wild-type strain or one lacking DNA protective alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP). Overexpression of SspF in wild-type spores or in spores lacking major alpha/beta-type SASP (alpha- beta- spores) had no effect on sporulation but slowed spore outgrowth and restored a small amount of UV and heat resistance to alpha- beta- spores. In vitro analyses showed that SspF is a DNA binding protein and is cleaved by the SASP-specific protease (GPR) at a site similar to that cleaved in alpha/beta-type SASP. SspF was also degraded during spore germination and outgrowth, and this degradation was initiated by GPR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne 21853, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Loshon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Setlow
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Setlow
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D012808:Sigma Factor; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012808:Sigma Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; C092468:spoIIR protein, Bacillus subtilis; C030069:spore-specific proteins, Bacillus; C090525:SspF protein, Bacillus cereus