title: Where asymmetry in gene expression originates.
abstract: A general problem in developmental biology concerns the process by which cells of one type divide to give dissimilar daughter cells. Even though these daughter cells may be genetically identical, they can differ morphologically and physiologically and have different fates. As one of the simplest differentiation processes, Bacillus subtilis sporulation represents an excellent model system for studying cell differentiation. Several decades of study of this process have provided insight into cell cycle regulation and development. This review summarizes important advances in our understanding of asymmetric gene expression during spore formation with an emphasis on developmental stages that lead to asymmetric septum formation and especially to activation of the first compartment-specific sigma factor -sigma(F).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 51 Bratislava 45, Slovakia. imrich.barak@savba.sk
authors.forename: Imrich
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barák
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D008958:Models, Molecular; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D012808:Sigma Factor