SigB-dependent general stress response in Bacillus subtilis and related gram-positive bacteria.
One of the strongest and most noticeable responses of Bacillus subtilis cells to a range of stress and starvation stimuli is the dramatic induction of about 150 SigB-dependent general stress genes. The activity of SigB itself is tightly regulated by a complex signal transduction cascade with at least three main signaling pathways that respond to environmental stress, energy depletion, or low temperature. The SigB-dependent response is conserved in related gram-positive bacteria but is missing in strictly anaerobic or in some facultatively anaerobic gram-positive bacteria. It covers functions from nonspecific and multiple stress resistance to the control of virulence in pathogenic bacteria. A comprehensive understanding of this crucial stress response is essential not only for bacterial physiology but also for applied microbiology, including pathogenicity and pathogen control.
Institut für Mikrobiologie, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, Greifswald 17489, Germany. hecker@uni-greifswald.de
Michael
M
Hecker
Jan
J
Pané-Farré
Uwe
U
Völker
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D018085:Regulon; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014774:Virulence
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C079011:SigB protein, Bacteria; D012808:Sigma Factor