A novel RNA polymerase‐binding protein controlling genes involved in spore germination in Bacillus subtilis. Issue 1 (5th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Traag, Bjorn A.; Ramirez‐Peralta, Arturo; Wang Erickson, Anna F.; Setlow, Peter; Losick, Richard
• Is Part Of: Molecular microbiology. Volume 89:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2013-06-05
• Subjects: Molecular microbiology -- Periodicals; 572.829
• DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12262
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-382X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>A growing class of proteins regulates transcription through interaction with DNA‐dependent RNA polymerase. Here we report that a recently identified, highly conserved sporulation gene <italic>ylyA</italic> encodes a novel RNA polymerase‐binding protein that influences the expression of genes under the control of the late‐acting, sporulation sigma factor σ^G in <italic>Bacillus subtilis.</italic> Spores from a <italic>ylyA</italic> mutant exhibited defects in germination corresponding to changes in the levels of membrane receptors for spore germinants and a protein channel governing the release of dipicolinic acid and hydration of the spore core during germination. Purified YlyA interacted with RNA polymerase and stimulated transcription from promoters dependent on σ^G but not promoters dependent on the housekeeping sigma factor σ^A. YlyA is a previously unrecognized RNA polymerase‐binding protein that is dedicated to modulating the expression of genes involved in spore germination.</p> </abstract>