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:Initiation of DNA replication requires binding of the initiator protein, DnaA, to specific binding sites in the chromosomal origin of replication, oriC. In low G+C Gram-positive bacteria, the primosomal proteins DnaD and DnaB, in conjunction with loader ATPase DnaI, load the replicative helicase at oriC, and this depends on DnaA. DnaD and DnaB are also required to load the replicative helicase outside of oriC during replication restart, in a DnaA-independent manner. DnaA also binds to many sites around the chromosome, outside of oriC, and acts as a transcription factor at several of these. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that DnaD and DnaB, but not the replicative helicase, are associated with many of the chromosomal regions bound by DnaA in vivo in Bacillus subtilis. This association was dependent on DnaA and the order of recruitment was the same as that at oriC, but was independent of a functional oriC. The presence of DnaD and DnaB at the secondary (non-oriC) targets of DnaA in the absence of helicase loading indicates a possible role for DnaD and DnaB in modulating the activity of DnaA. The genome-wide binding profiles of DnaA, DnaD, DnaB and DnaC were determined. Binding profiles were determined in exponentially growing cells with and without HPUra treatment. Three biological replicates were analyzed per protein/treatment (one per array). Enrichment in immunoprecipitated samples versus total genomic DNA were determined.
Project description:"Bacillus subtilis is an aerobic, endospore forming, rod-shaped Gram-positive bacterium. It has a relatively small genome of 4,215,606 bp with 4,197 protein coding genes. It is considered a model organism to study natural phenomena, such as chromosome replication, sporulation or swarming motility. Furthermore, many bacterial pathogens are closely related to B. subtilis, making it a highly significant system for research on potential targets for drug therapeutics. Although B. subtilis is among the best characterised bacterial systems, many of its gene products are still non-annotated, completely uncharacterised and/or their post-translational landscape is unknown. In the current study we aim at broadening the available information on Bacillus subtilis by providing a comprehensive resource for the microbial community encompassing a wide array of information at the genome, proteome, phosphoproteome and acetylome level."
Project description:Initiation of bacterial DNA replication takes place at the origin of replication (oriC), a region characterized by the presence of multiple DnaA boxes that serve as the binding sites for the master initiator protein DnaA. The absence or failure of DNA replication can result in bacterial cell growth arrest or death. Here, we aimed to uncover the physiological and molecular consequences of stopping replication in the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis. For this purpose, DNA replication was blocked using a CRISPRi approach specifically targeting DnaA boxes 6 and 7, which are essential for replication initiation. We characterized the phenotype of these cells and analyzed the overall changes in the proteome using quantitative mass spectrometry. Cells with arrested replication were elongating and not dividing but showed no evidence of DNA damage response (DDR). Moreover, these cells did not cease translation over time. This study sets the ground for future research on non-replicating but translationally active B. subtilis, which might be valuable for biotechnological applications.
Project description:Hydroxyurea (HU) is thought to primarily target ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), therefore inhibiting the conversion of rNTPs into dNTPs and slowing DNA replication. To understand how Bacillus subtilis responds to HU stress, we performed RNA-seq and Tn-seq.
Project description:Initiation of DNA replication requires binding of the initiator protein, DnaA, to specific binding sites in the chromosomal origin of replication, oriC. In low G+C Gram-positive bacteria, the primosomal proteins DnaD and DnaB, in conjunction with loader ATPase DnaI, load the replicative helicase at oriC, and this depends on DnaA. DnaD and DnaB are also required to load the replicative helicase outside of oriC during replication restart, in a DnaA-independent manner. DnaA also binds to many sites around the chromosome, outside of oriC, and acts as a transcription factor at several of these. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that DnaD and DnaB, but not the replicative helicase, are associated with many of the chromosomal regions bound by DnaA in vivo in Bacillus subtilis. This association was dependent on DnaA and the order of recruitment was the same as that at oriC, but was independent of a functional oriC. The presence of DnaD and DnaB at the secondary (non-oriC) targets of DnaA in the absence of helicase loading indicates a possible role for DnaD and DnaB in modulating the activity of DnaA.
Project description:Investigation of the kinetics of whole genome gene expression level changes in Bacillus subtilis NDmed strain during formation of submerged biofilm and pellicle. The Bacillus subtilis NDmed strain analyzed in this study is able to form thick and highly structured submerged biofilms as described in Bridier et al., (2011) The Spatial Architecture of Bacillus subtilis Biofilms Deciphered Using a Surface-Associated Model and In Situ Imaging. PLoS ONE 6(1):e16177.