gerT, a newly discovered germination gene under the control of the sporulation transcription factor sigmaK in Bacillus subtilis.
We report the identification of a gene, herein designated gerT (formerly yozR), that is involved in germination by spores of Bacillus subtilis. The gerT gene is induced late in sporulation under the positive control of the transcription factor sigma(K) and under the negative control of the DNA-binding protein GerE. The gerT gene product (GerT) is a component of the spore coat, and its incorporation into the coat takes place in two stages. GerT initially assembles into foci, which then spread around the developing spore in a process that is dependent on the morphogenetic protein CotE. Mutant spores lacking GerT respond poorly to multiple germinants and are impaired at an early stage of germination.
Ferguson
Caitlin C
CC
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Camp
Amy H
AH
Losick
Richard
R
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D012808:Sigma Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; C112176:pro-sigmaK protein, Bacillus subtilis