title: Characterization of ywhE, which encodes a putative high-molecular-weight class A penicillin-binding protein in Bacillus subtilis.
abstract: The Bacillus subtilis genome sequencing project [Kunst et al., Nature 390 (1997) 249-256] identified ywhE as a gene that potentially encodes a high-molecular-weight class A penicillin-binding protein. Analysis of the expression of a translational ywhE-lacZ fusion showed that ywhE expression is sporulation-specific, and is controlled predominantly by the forespore-specific sigma factor sigma(F), and to a lesser extent by sigma(G). Primer extension analysis identified two transcription start sites located 26 and 27 nucleotides upstream of the ywhE translational initiation codon. Sequences located in the -10 and -35 regions relative to the transcription start sites showed good homology to the consensus sequences for promoter elements of sigma(F)-dependent genes. An insertional mutation in ywhE had no significant effect on growth, morphology, and sporulation, and ywhE spores had normal heat-resistance, cortex structure, and germination and outgrowth properties. However, overexpression of ywhE in Escherichia coli resulted in cell lysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06032, USA.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ragkousi
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Cammett
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Melly
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sekowska
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schopick
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Setlow
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D007763:Lac Operon / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009154:Mutation; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000502:physiology; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012808:Sigma Factor; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase