DegU-phosphate activates expression of the anti-sigma factor FlgM in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial flagellum is a complex molecular machine that is assembled by more than 30 proteins and is rotated to propel cells either through liquids or over solid surfaces. Flagellar gene expression is extensively regulated to co-ordinate flagellar assembly in both space and time. In Bacillus subtilis, the proteins of unknown function, SwrA and SwrB, and the alternative sigma factor σ(D) are required to activate expression of the flagellar filament protein, flagellin. Here we determine that in the absence of SwrA and SwrB, the phosphorylated form of the response regulator DegU inhibits σ(D) -dependent gene expression indirectly by binding to the P(flgM) promoter region and activating expression of the anti-sigma factor FlgM. We further demonstrate that DegU-P-dependent activation of Flg

SUBMITTER: Hsueh YH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3193947 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature