A polysaccharide deacetylase gene (pdaA) is required for germination and for production of muramic delta-lactam residues in the spore cortex of Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: The predicted amino acid sequence of Bacillus subtilis yfjS (renamed pdaA) exhibits high similarity to those of several polysaccharide deacetylases. Beta-galactosidase fusion experiments and results of Northern hybridization with sporulation sigma mutants indicated that the pdaA gene is transcribed by E(sigma)(G) RNA polymerase. pdaA-deficient spores were bright by phase-contrast microscopy, and the spores were induced to germination on the addition of L-alanine. Germination-associated spore darkening, a slow and partial decrease in absorbance, and slightly lower dipicolinic acid release compared with that by the wild-type strain were observed. In particular, the release of hexosamine-containing materials was lacking in the pdaA mutant. Muropeptide analysis indicated that the pdaA-deficien

SUBMITTER: Fukushima T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC135383 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature