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Published on: September 12, 2018
Small genes under sporulation control in the Bacillus subtilis genome
Matthias Schmalisch1, Elisa Maiques, Lachezar Nikolov
1The Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Journal of Bacteriology
|August 17, 2010
Summary
Researchers identified new genes and small RNAs in Bacillus subtilis during spore formation. Some genes, when deleted, slightly improved spore production, indicating a potential cost to spore formation under lab conditions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Understanding gene regulation during bacterial spore formation is crucial for microbial development.
- Intergenic regions are often overlooked for novel gene discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify previously unrecognized transcription units in Bacillus subtilis, focusing on small genes active during spore formation.
- To characterize the regulatory mechanisms and functional significance of these newly discovered genetic elements.
Main Methods:
- Oligonucleotide microarray analysis was employed to screen intergenic regions of the Bacillus subtilis genome.
- Gene expression analysis and mutant studies were conducted to assess the role of sporulation regulatory proteins and identified ORFs.
Main Results:
- Nineteen novel transcription units were identified, with 11 regulated by sporulation proteins.
- A significant number of these units contained small, functional open reading frames (ORFs), including a family of six genes controlled by sigma factors.
- Three transcription units encoded small, noncoding RNAs, with specific regulatory links to sigma factors σ(E) and σ(D).
Conclusions:
- The study reveals novel transcriptional elements in Bacillus subtilis, expanding the known genome and regulatory network.
- The identified small genes and RNAs play roles in spore formation, with some potentially imposing a slight energetic cost.
- These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of bacterial developmental processes and gene regulation.
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