title: σ(ECF) factors of gram-positive bacteria: a focus on Bacillus subtilis and the CMNR group.
abstract: The survival of bacteria to different environmental conditions depends on the activation of adaptive mechanisms, which are intricately driven through gene regulation. Because transcriptional initiation is considered to be the major step in the control of bacterial genes, we discuss the characteristics and roles of the sigma factors, addressing (1) their structural, functional and phylogenetic classification; (2) how their activity is regulated; and (3) the promoters recognized by these factors. Finally, we focus on a specific group of alternative sigma factors, the so-called σ(ECF) factors, in Bacillus subtilis and some of the main species that comprise the CMNR group, providing information on the roles they play in the microorganisms' physiology and indicating some of the genes whose transcription they regulate.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil.
authors.forename: Bianca Mendes
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago Luiz de Paula
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Dias de Oliveira
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil.
authors.forename: Nubia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seyffert
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Polimorfismo de DNA; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Genética; Universidade Federal do Pará; Belém, PA Brazil.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil.
authors.forename: Anderson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil.
authors.forename: Vasco
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Azevedo
mesh_terms: D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012808:Sigma Factor
keywords: Bacillus subtilis; Corynebacterium; ECF; Mycobacterium; sigma factor; stress response; transcription regulation