Embedding a ribonuclease in the spore crust couples gene expression to spore development in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: Faced with nutritional stress, some bacteria form endospores capable of enduring extreme conditions for long periods of time; yet the function of many proteins expressed during sporulation remains a mystery. We identify one such protein, KapD, as a 3'-exoribonuclease expressed under control of the mother cell-specific transcription factors SigE and SigK in Bacillus subtilis. KapD dynamically assembles over the spore surface through a direct interaction with the major crust protein CotY. KapD catalytic activity is essential for normal adhesiveness of spore surface layers. We identify the sigK mRNA as a key KapD substrate and and show that the stability of this transcript is regulated by CotY-mediated sequestration of KapD. SigK is tightly controlled through excision of a prophage-like eleme

SUBMITTER: D'Halluin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11736430 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature