Cloning and sequencing of a B. subtilis sigmaF dependent gene from B. megaterium

A promoter-monocistronic structural gene complex from genomic DNA of Bacillus megaterium has been isolated and sequenced. The activity of the promoter during sporulation was measured in B. subtilis using a fusion with the xylE gene of Pseudomonas putida which codes for a catechol-2,3-dioxygenase. From the time of activation in sporulating cells and the activity in a set of defined B. subtilis sporulation mutants we conclude that the promoter requires an active sigmaF-factor of RNA-polymerase. Since this sigma-factor is active only in forespores and not in the mothercell compartment it is likely that we have identified a forespore specific gene of B. megaterium. Its function is still unknown.