Research article summary (published 13 Aug 2009):

A mechanism for cell cycle regulation of sporulation initiation in Bacillus subtilis.

Full Abstract

Coordination of DNA replication with cellular development is a crucial problem in most living organisms. Bacillus subtilis cells switch from vegetative growth to sporulation when starved. Sporulation normally occurs in cells that have stopped replicating DNA and have two completed chromosomes: one destined for the prespore and the other for the mother cell. It has long been recognized that there is a sensitive period in the cell cycle during which the initiation of spore development can be triggered, presumably to allow for the generation of exactly two complete chromosomes. However, the mechanism responsible for this has remained unclear. Here we show that the sda gene, previously identified as a checkpoint factor preventing sporulation in response to DNA damage, exerts cell cycle control over the initiation of sporulation. Expression of sda occurs in a pulsatile manner, with a burst of expression each cell cycle at the onset of DNA replication. Up-regulation of the intrinsically unstable Sda protein, which is dependent on the active form of the DNA replication initiator protein, DnaA, transiently inhibits the initiation of sporulation. This regulation avoids the generation of spore formers with replicating chromosomes, which would result in diploid or polyploid spores that we show have reduced viability.

Author information

Author/s: Veening, Jan-Willem (JW); Murray, Heath (H); Errington, Jeff (J);

Affiliation: Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

Grants: (Agency:Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Genes & development (Genes Dev), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 23 (issue 16) : pp 1959-70

Dates: Created 2009/08/17; Completed 2009/08/28;

PMID: 19684115, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/28/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Bacillus subtilis - cytology; genetics; growth & development; metabolism Bacterial Proteins - metabolism Cell Cycle - physiology Chromosomes, Bacterial DNA Replication - physiology DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism

DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial Phosphoprotein Phosphatases - metabolism Serine Endopeptidases - metabolism Spores, Bacterial - growth & development Trans-Activators - metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Bacterial Proteins (0) ; DNA-Binding Proteins (0) ; DnaA protein, Bacteria (0) ; LexA protein, Bacteria (0) ; Trans-Activators (0) ; suppressor of DnaA, Bacillus subtilis (0) ; rapB protein, Bacillus subtilis (EC 3.1.3.-) ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases (EC 3.1.3.16) ; Serine Endopeptidases (EC 3.4.21.-)

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