Project description:The Rok protein of Bacillus subtilis was identified as a negative regulator of competence development. Here we show that Rok binds to extended areas of the B. subtilis genome that are characterized by a high A+T content and are known or believed to have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer, e.g. mobile elements. A deletion of rok results in higher excision of one such element, ICEBs1. The preferential association of Rok with DNA with a high A+T content is also observed in a Gram-negative host, E. coli, and depends on a conserved C-terminal region of the protein. Based on our findings, we propose that Rok is a nucleoid-associated protein that fulfills a function analogous to H-NS, a protein absent from most Gram-positive bacteria.
Project description:The Rok protein of Bacillus subtilis was identified as a negative regulator of competence development. Here we show that Rok binds to extended areas of the B. subtilis genome that are characterized by a high A+T content and are known or believed to have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer, e.g. mobile elements. A deletion of rok results in higher excision of one such element, ICEBs1. The preferential association of Rok with DNA with a high A+T content is also observed in a Gram-negative host, E. coli, and depends on a conserved C-terminal region of the protein. Based on our findings, we propose that Rok is a nucleoid-associated protein that fulfills a function analogous to H-NS, a protein absent from most Gram-positive bacteria. The genome-wide binding profile of the transcription factor Rok and the nucleoid-binding protein HBsu were determined. Three biological replicates were analyzed per strain (one per array). Binding profiles were determined in exponentially growing cells. Enrichment in immunoprecipitated samples versus total genomic DNA were determined.
Project description:Identification of the specific WalR (YycF) binding regions on the B. subtilis chromosome during exponential and phosphate starvation growth phases. The data serves to extend the WalRK regulon in Bacillus subtilis and its role in cell wall metabolism, as well as implying a role in several other cellular processes.
Project description:RNase Y is an essential endoribonuclease affecting global mRNA stability in Bacillus subtilis. We used high-resolution tiling arrays to analyze the effect of RNase Y depletion on RNA abundance covering the entire genome. The data confirm that this endoribonuclease plays a key role in initiating the decay of a large number of mRNAs as well as non coding RNAs. Comparison of the data with that of two other recent studies revealed very significant differences. About two thirds of the mRNAs upregulated following RNase Y depletion were different when compared to either one of these studies and only about 10% of were in common in all three studies.Our data confirmed already known RNase Y substrates and due to the precision and reproducibility of the profiles allows an exceptionally detailed view of the turnover of hundreds of new RNA substrates.