Transcriptomic and phenotypic characterization of a Bacillus subtilis strain without extracytoplasmic function σ factors.

ABSTRACT: Bacillus subtilis encodes seven extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors. Three (σ(M), σ(W), and σ(X)) mediate responses to cell envelope-active antibiotics. The functions of σ(V), σ(Y), σ(Z), and σ(YlaC) remain largely unknown, and strong inducers of these σ factors and their regulons have yet to be defined. Here, we define transcriptomic and phenotypic differences under nonstress conditions between a strain carrying deletions in all seven ECF σ factor genes (the Δ7ECF mutant), a ΔMWX triple mutant, and the parental 168 strain. Our results identify >80 genes as at least partially dependent on ECF σ factors, and as expected, most of these are dependent on σ(M), σ(W), or σ(X), which are active at a significant basal level during growth. Several genes, including the eps operon encoding enzy

SUBMITTER: Luo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2953670 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature