title: The RecA-Dependent SOS Response Is Active and Required for Processing of DNA Damage during Bacillus subtilis Sporulation.
abstract: The expression of and role played by RecA in protecting sporulating cells of Bacillus subtilis from DNA damage has been determined. Results showed that the DNA-alkylating agent Mitomycin-C (M-C) activated expression of a PrecA-gfpmut3a fusion in both sporulating cells' mother cell and forespore compartments. The expression levels of a recA-lacZ fusion were significantly lower in sporulating than in growing cells. However, M-C induced levels of ß-galactosidase from a recA-lacZ fusion ~6- and 3-fold in the mother cell and forespore compartments of B. subtilis sporangia, respectively. Disruption of recA slowed sporulation and sensitized sporulating cells to M-C and UV-C radiation, and the M-C and UV-C sensitivity of sporangia lacking the transcriptional repair-coupling factor Mfd was significantly increased by loss of RecA. We postulate that when DNA damage is encountered during sporulation, RecA activates the SOS response thus providing sporangia with the repair machinery to process DNA lesions that may compromise the spatio-temporal expression of genes that are essential for efficient spore formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto. 36050, México.
authors.forename: Fernando H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Ramírez-Guadiana
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto. 36050, México.
authors.forename: Rocío Del Carmen
authors.initials: Rdel C
authors.lastname: Barajas-Ornelas
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto. 36050, México.
authors.forename: Saúl U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Corona-Bautista
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, 06030-3305, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Setlow
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto. 36050, México.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedraza-Reyes
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D007763:Lac Operon / Q000235:genetics; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011938:Rec A Recombinases / Q000235:genetics*; D013014:SOS Response, Genetics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D016685:Mitomycin; D011938:Rec A Recombinases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase