A sporulation membrane protein tethers the pro-sigmaK processing enzyme to its inhibitor and dictates its subcellular localization.

ABSTRACT: The developmental transcription factor sigmaK is derived from the inactive precursor protein pro-sigmaK by regulated proteolysis during the process of sporulation in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The putative pro-sigmaK processing enzyme SpoIVFB is a member of a family of membrane-embedded metalloproteases and is held inactive by two other integral membrane proteins, SpoIVFA and BofA. Herein we show that the processing enzyme and its two regulators exist in a multimeric complex that localizes to the membrane surrounding the developing spore (the forespore). We further show that one of the regulators, SpoIVFA, plays a central role in both the formation of this complex and its subcellular localization. Evidence is presented in support of a model in which SpoIVFA acts as a platform for bri

SUBMITTER: Rudner DZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC152351 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature