Extracytoplasmic function sigma factors with overlapping promoter specificity regulate sublancin production in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: Bacillus subtilis harbors seven extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors. At least three ECF sigma factors (sigma(M), sigma(W), and sigma(X)) are induced by, and provide resistance to, antibiotics and other agents eliciting cell envelope stress. Here, we report that ECF sigma factors also contribute to antibiotic production. B. subtilis 168 strains that are lysogenic for the SPbeta bacteriophage produce sublancin, which inhibits the growth of other, nonlysogenic strains. Genetic studies demonstrate that synthesis of sublancin is largely dependent on sigma(X), with a smaller contribution from sigma(M). A sigM sigX double mutant is unable to produce sublancin. This defect is primarily due to the fact that the sublancin biosynthesis is positively activated by the transition state regulat

SUBMITTER: Luo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2715738 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature