The Conserved DNA Binding Protein WhiA Influences Chromosome Segregation in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: The DNA binding protein WhiA is conserved in Gram-positive bacteria and is present in the genetically simple cell wall-lacking mycoplasmas. The protein shows homology to eukaryotic homing endonucleases but lacks nuclease activity. WhiA was first characterized in streptomycetes, where it regulates the expression of key differentiation genes, including the cell division gene ftsZ, which is essential for sporulation. For Bacillus subtilis, it was shown that WhiA is essential when certain cell division genes are deleted. However, in B. subtilis, WhiA is not required for sporulation, and it does not seem to function as a transcription factor, despite its DNA binding activity. The exact function of B. subtilis WhiA remains elusive. We noticed that whiA mutants

SUBMITTER: Bohorquez LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5869467 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature