Gene conservation among endospore-forming bacteria reveals additional sporulation genes in Bacillus subtilis

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Abstract

The capacity to form endospores is unique to certain members of the low-G+C group of Gram-positive bacteria (Firmicutes) and requires signature sporulation genes that are highly conserved across members of distantly related genera, such as Clostridium and Bacillus. Using gene conservation among endospore-forming bacteria, we identified eight previously uncharacterized genes that are enriched among endospore-forming species. The expression of five of these genes was dependent on sporulation-specific transcription factors. Mutants of none of the genes exhibited a conspicuous defect in sporulation, but mutants of two, ylxY and ylyA, were outcompeted by a wild-type strain under sporulation-inducing conditions, but not during growth. In contrast, a ylmC mutant displayed a slight competitive advantage over the wild type specific to sporulation-inducing conditions. The phenotype of a ylyA mutant was ascribed to a defect in spore germination efficiency. This work demonstrates the power of combining phylogenetic profiling with reverse genetics and gene-regulatory studies to identify unrecognized genes that contribute to a conserved developmental process. © 2013, American Society for Microbiology.

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Traag, B. A., Pugliese, A., Eisen, J. A., & Losick, R. (2013). Gene conservation among endospore-forming bacteria reveals additional sporulation genes in Bacillus subtilis. Journal of Bacteriology, 195(2), 253–260. https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.01778-12

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