Bacillus subtilis spoVIF (yjcC) gene, involved in coat assembly and spore resistance

DOI Web Site 6 Citations
  • Ritsuko Kuwana
    Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
  • Satoko Yamamura
    Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
  • Hiromi Ikejiri
    Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
  • Kazuo Kobayashi
    Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan
  • Naotake Ogasawara
    Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan
  • Kei Asai
    Saitama University, Urawa, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
  • Yoshito Sadaie
    Saitama University, Urawa, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
  • Hiromu Takamatsu
    Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
  • Kazuhito Watabe
    Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan

Abstract

<jats:p>In systematic screening four sporulation-specific genes, <jats:italic>yjcA</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>yjcB</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>yjcZ</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>yjcC</jats:italic>, of unknown function were found in <jats:italic>Bacillus subtilis</jats:italic>. These genes are located just upstream of the <jats:italic>cotVWXYZ</jats:italic> gene cluster oriented in the opposite direction. Northern blot analysis showed that <jats:italic>yjcA</jats:italic> was transcribed by the SigE RNA polymerase beginning 2 h (<jats:italic>t</jats:italic> <jats:sub>2</jats:sub>) after the onset of sporulation, and <jats:italic>yjcB</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>yjcZ</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>yjcC</jats:italic> were transcribed by the SigK RNA polymerase beginning at <jats:italic>t</jats:italic> <jats:sub>4</jats:sub> of sporulation. The transcription of <jats:italic>yjcZ</jats:italic> was dependent on SigK and GerE. The consensus sequences of the appropriate sigma factors were found upstream of each gene. There were putative GerE-binding sites upstream of <jats:italic>yjcZ</jats:italic>. Insertional inactivation of the <jats:italic>yjcC</jats:italic> gene resulted in a reduction in resistance of the mutant spores to lysozyme and heat. Transmission electron microscopic examination of <jats:italic>yjcC</jats:italic> spores revealed a defect of sporulation at stage VI, resulting in loss of spore coats. These results suggest that YjcC is involved in assembly of spore coat proteins that have roles in lysozyme resistance. It is proposed that <jats:italic>yjcC</jats:italic> should be renamed as <jats:italic>spoVIF</jats:italic>.</jats:p>

Journal

  • Microbiology

    Microbiology 149 (10), 3011-3021, 2003-10-01

    Microbiology Society

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