Differential Expression of Two Paralogous Genes of Bacillus subtilis Encoding Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein

Cordula Lindner, Reindert Nijland, Mariska Van Hartskamp, Sierd Bron, Leendert W. Hamoen, Oscar P. Kuipers*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

58 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Bacillus subtilis genome comprises two paralogous single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) genes, ssb and ywpH, which show distinct expression patterns. The main ssb gene is strongly expressed during exponential growth and is coregulated with genes encoding the ribosomal proteins S6 and S18. The gene organization rpsF-ssb-rpsR as observed in B. subtilis is found in many gram-positive as well as some gram-negative bacteria, but not in Escherichia coli. The ssb gene is essential for cell viability, and like other SSBs its expression is elevated during SOS response. In contrast, the paralogous ywpH gene is transcribed from its own promoter at the onset of stationary phase in minimal medium only. Its expression is ComK dependent and its gene product is required for optimal natural transformation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1097-1105
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Bacteriology
Volume186
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2004
Externally publishedYes

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