Identification of sporulation genes in Bacillus anthracis highlights similarities and significant differences with Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: The molecular basis of endospore formation in the model gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis has been investigated for over half a century. Here, using high throughput and classical genetic approaches, we performed a comparative analysis of sporulation in the human pathogen Bacillus anthracis. A transposon-sequencing screen identified >150 genes required for B. anthracis sporulation. As anticipated, many of the genes that are critical for sporulation in B. subtilis were also required for B. anthracis sporulation. However, we identified >50 genes that are important for sporulation in B. anthracis but not in B. subtilis, and 22 B. anthracis sporulation genes that are absent from the B. subtilis genome. To validate the hits from our screen, we generated an ordered transposon-mutant libra

SUBMITTER: Ramirez-Guadiana FH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12700454 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature