The regulation of the fumarase (citG) gene of Bacillus subtilis 168

Metabolic rewiring enables ammonium assimilation via a non-canonical fumarate-based pathway

Glutamate serves as the major cellular amino group donor. In Bacillus subtilis, glutamate is synthesized by the combined action of the glutamine synthetase and the glutamate synthase (GOGAT). The glutamate dehydrogenases are devoted to glutamate degradation in vivo. To keep the cellular glutamate concentration high, the genes and the encoded enzymes involved in glutamate biosynthesis and degradation need to be tightly regulated depending on the available carbon and nitrogen sources. Serendipitously, we found that the inactivation of the ansR and citG genes encoding the repressor of the ansAB genes and the fumarase, respectively, enables the GOGAT-deficient B. subtilis mutant to synthesize glutamate via a non-canonical fumarate-based ammonium assimilation pathway. We also show that the de-repression of the ansAB genes is sufficient to restore aspartate prototrophy of an aspB aspartate transaminase mutant. Moreover, in the presence of arginine, B. subtilis mutants lacking fumarase activity show a growth defect that can be relieved by aspB overexpression, by reducing arginine uptake and by decreasing the metabolic flux through the TCA cycle.

SPABBATS: A pathway-discovery method based on Boolean satisfiability that facilitates the characterization of suppressor mutants

Background

Several computational methods exist to suggest rational genetic interventions that improve the productivity of industrial strains. Nonetheless, these methods are less effective to predict possible genetic responses of the strain after the intervention. This problem requires a better understanding of potential alternative metabolic and regulatory pathways able to counteract the targeted intervention.

Results

Here we present SPABBATS, an algorithm based on Boolean satisfiability (SAT) that computes alternative metabolic pathways between input and output species in a reconstructed network. The pathways can be constructed iteratively in order of increasing complexity. SPABBATS allows the accumulation of intermediates in the pathways, which permits discovering pathways missed by most traditional pathway analysis methods. In addition, we provide a proof of concept experiment for the validity of the algorithm. We deleted the genes for the glutamate dehydrogenases of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis and isolated suppressor mutant strains able to grow on glutamate as single carbon source. Our SAT approach proposed candidate alternative pathways which were decisive to pinpoint the exact mutation of the suppressor strain.

Conclusions

SPABBATS is the first application of SAT techniques to metabolic problems. It is particularly useful for the characterization of metabolic suppressor mutants and can be used in a synthetic biology setting to design new pathways with specific input-output requirements.

The threshold level of the sensor histidine kinase KinA governs entry into sporulation in Bacillus subtilis

Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is controlled by a complex gene regulatory circuit that is activated upon nutrient deprivation. The initial process is directed by the phosphorelay, involving the major sporulation histidine kinase (KinA) and two additional phosphotransferases (Spo0F and Spo0B), that activates the master transcription factor Spo0A. Little is known about the initial event and mechanisms that trigger sporulation. Using a strain in which the synthesis of KinA is under the control of an IPTG (isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside)-inducible promoter, here we demonstrate that inducing the synthesis of the KinA beyond a certain level leads to the entry of the irreversible process of sporulation irrespective of nutrient availability. Moreover, the engineered cells expressing KinA under a sigma(H)-dependent promoter that is similar to but stronger than the endogenous kinA promoter induce sporulation during growth. These cells, which we designated COS (constitutive sporulation) cells, exhibit the morphology and properties of sporulating cells and express sporulation marker genes under nutrient-rich conditions. Thus, we created an engineered strain displaying two cell cycles (growth and sporulation) integrated into one cycle irrespective of culture conditions, while in the wild type, the appropriate cell fate decision is made depending on nutrient availability. These results suggest that the threshold level of the major sporulation kinase acts as a molecular switch to determine cell fate and may rule out the possibility that the activity of KinA is regulated in response to the unknown signal(s).

Characterization of abn2 (yxiA), encoding a Bacillus subtilis GH43 arabinanase, Abn2, and its role in arabino-polysaccharide degradation

The extracellular depolymerization of arabinopolysaccharides by microorganisms is accomplished by arabinanases, xylanases, and galactanases. Here, we characterize a novel endo-alpha-1,5-l-arabinanase (EC 3.2.1.99) from Bacillus subtilis, encoded by the yxiA gene (herein renamed abn2) that contributes to arabinan degradation. Functional studies by mutational analysis showed that Abn2, together with previously characterized AbnA, is responsible for the majority of the extracellular arabinan activity in B. subtilis. Abn2 was overproduced in Escherichia coli, purified from the periplasmic fraction, and characterized with respect to substrate specificity and biochemical and physical properties. With linear-alpha-1,5-l-arabinan as the preferred substrate, the enzyme exhibited an apparent K(m) of 2.0 mg ml(-1) and V(max) of 0.25 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) at pH 7.0 and 50 degrees C. RNA studies revealed the monocistronic nature of abn2. Two potential transcriptional start sites were identified by primer extension analysis, and both a sigma(A)-dependent and a sigma(H)-dependent promoter were located. Transcriptional fusion studies revealed that the expression of abn2 is stimulated by arabinan and pectin and repressed by glucose; however, arabinose is not the natural inducer. Additionally, trans-acting factors and cis elements involved in transcription were investigated. Abn2 displayed a control mechanism at a level of gene expression different from that observed with AbnA. These distinct regulatory mechanisms exhibited by two members of extracellular glycoside hydrolase family 43 (GH43) suggest an adaptative strategy of B. subtilis for optimal degradation of arabinopolysaccharides.

A novel sporulation-control gene (spo0M) of Bacillus subtilis with a sigmaH-regulated promoter

A novel sporulation-control gene (spo0M) of Bacillus subtilis was cloned, sequenced and analyzed. The spo0M gene is located at the end of large tRNA gene clusters including rrnD and codes for a 257-amino-acid protein with a calculated size of 29.6kDa. The protein Spo0M has a strong negative charge (calculated pI=4.3) and shows no significant sequence homology to any known proteins. Gene disruption experiments revealed that spo0M is not essential for cell viability, but its disruption results in considerable impairments (decreasing by 20- to 100-fold) in sporulation. The morphological stage blocked in sporulation was stage 0 as observed by electron microscopy, and expression analysis using spo0Aps-bgaB fusion revealed an impaired gene expression of spo0A in the spo0M mutant. In contrast, spo0M disruption had no effect on antibiotic productivity. Propagation of the spo0M gene in wild-type cells using a high-copy-number plasmid also impaired sporulation, indicating that overproduction of Spo0M exerts certain negative effects on sporulation. spo0M gene expression is controlled by sigmaH, as demonstrated: (1) by monitoring expression of a bgaB transcriptional fusion integrated into the amyE locus on the chromosome of the wild-type or spo0H mutant cells, and (2) by in-vitro transcription of spo0M gene with EsigmaH.

A region in Bacillus subtilis sigmaH required for Spo0A-dependent promoter activity

Spo0A activates transcription in Bacillus subtilis from promoters that are used by two types of RNA polymerase, RNA polymerase containing the primary sigma factor, sigmaA, and RNA polymerase containing a secondary sigma factor, known as sigmaH. The region of sigmaA near positions 356 to 359 is required for Spo0A-dependent promoter activation, possibly because Spo0A interacts with this region of sigmaA at these promoters. To determine if the amino acids in the corresponding region of sigmaH are also important in Spo0A-dependent promoter activation, we examined the effects of single alanine substitutions at 10 positions in sigmaH (201 to 210). Two alanine substitutions in sigmaH, at glutamine 201 (Q201A) and at arginine 205 (R205A), significantly decreased activity from the Spo0A-dependent, sigmaH-dependent promoter spoIIA but did not affect expression from the sigmaH-dependent, Spo0A-independent promoters citGp2 and spoVG. Therefore, promoter activation by Spo0A requires homologous regions in sigmaA and sigmaH. A mutant form of Spo0A, S231F, that suppresses the sporulation defect caused by several amino acid substitutions in sigmaA did not suppress the sporulation defects caused by the Q201A and R205A substitutions in sigmaH. This result and others indicate that different surfaces of Spo0A probably interact with sigmaA and sigmaH RNA polymerases.

The sigma factors of Bacillus subtilis

The specificity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase for target promotes is largely due to the replaceable sigma subunit that it carries. Multiple sigma proteins, each conferring a unique promoter preference on RNA polymerase, are likely to be present in all bacteria; however, their abundance and diversity have been best characterized in Bacillus subtilis, the bacterium in which multiple sigma factors were first discovered. The 10 sigma factors thus far identified in B. subtilis directly contribute to the bacterium's ability to control gene expression. These proteins are not merely necessary for the expression of those operons whose promoters they recognize; in many instances, their appearance within the cell is sufficient to activate these operons. This review describes the discovery of each of the known B. subtilis sigma factors, their characteristics, the regulons they direct, and the complex restrictions placed on their synthesis and activities. These controls include the anticipated transcriptional regulation that modulates the expression of the sigma factor structural genes but, in the case of several of the B. subtilis sigma factors, go beyond this, adding novel posttranslational restraints on sigma factor activity. Two of the sigma factors (sigma E and sigma K) are, for example, synthesized as inactive precursor proteins. Their activities are kept in check by "pro-protein" sequences which are cleaved from the precursor molecules in response to intercellular cues. Other sigma factors (sigma B, sigma F, and sigma G) are inhibited by "anti-sigma factor" proteins that sequester them into complexes which block their ability to form RNA polymerase holoenzymes. The anti-sigma factors are, in turn, opposed by additional proteins which participate in the sigma factors' release. The devices used to control sigma factor activity in B, subtilis may prove to be as widespread as multiple sigma factors themselves, providing ways of coupling sigma factor activation to environmental or physiological signals that cannot be readily joined to other regulatory mechanisms.

Transcriptional regulation of Bacillus subtilis citrate synthase genes

The Bacillus subtilis citrate synthase genes citA and citZ were repressed during early exponential growth phase in nutrient broth medium and were induced as cells reached the end of exponential phase. Both genes were also induced by treatment of cells with the drug decoyinine. After induction, the steady-state level of citZ mRNA was about five times higher than that of citA mRNA. At least some of the citZ transcripts read through into the isocitrate dehydrogenase (citC) gene. Transcription from an apparent promoter site located near the 3' end of the citZ gene also contributed to expression of citC. In minimal medium, citA transcription was about 6-fold lower when glucose was the sole carbon source than it was when succinate was the carbon source. Expression of the citZ gene was repressed 2-fold by glucose and 10-fold when glucose and glutamate were present simultaneously. This latter synergistic repression is similar to the effect of glucose and glutamate on steady-state citrate synthase enzyme activity. CitR, a protein of the LysR family, appeared to be a repressor of citA but not of citZ.

Regulation of peptide antibiotic production in Bacillus

In Bacillus species, starvation leads to the activation of a number of processes that affect the ability to survive during periods of nutritional stress. Activities that are induced include the development of genetic competence, sporulation, the synthesis of degradative enzymes, motility, and antibiotic production. The genes that function in these processes are activated during the transition from exponential to stationary phase and are controlled by mechanisms that operate primarily at the level of transcription initiation. One class of genes functions in the synthesis of special metabolites such as the peptide antibiotics tyrocidine and gramicidin S as well as the cyclic lipopeptide surfactin. These genes include the grs and tyc operons in Bacillus brevis, which encode gramicidin S synthetase and tyrocidine synthetase, respectively, and the srfA operon of Bacillus subtilis which encodes the enzymes of the surfactin synthetase complex. Peptide antibiotic biosynthesis genes are regulated by factors as diverse as the early sporulation gene product Spo0A, the transition-state regulator AbrB, and gene products (ComA, ComP, and ComQ) required for the initiation of the competence developmental pathway.

Organization and regulation of the Bacillus subtilis odhAB operon, which encodes two of the subenzymes of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex

The primary structure of Bacillus subtilis 105 kDa 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (E10) was deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the odhA gene and confirmed by N-terminal sequence analysis. The protein is highly homologous to E1o of Azotobacter vinelandii and Escherichia coli and of bakers' yeast cells. The 5' end of the odhAB mRNA was determined and the promoter region for the odhAB operon was localized to a 375 bp DNA fragment. The cellular concentration of the 4.5 kb odhAB transcript was found to be growth stage dependent; its concentration during growth in nutrient sporulation medium decreased abruptly at the end of the exponential growth phase and it was not detectable in early stationary phase. This decrease in the cellular concentration of the transcript is not the result of an increased rate of decay of the full-length odhAB mRNA, suggesting that transcription is down-regulated at the end of the exponential growth phase. The cellular concentration of the odhA and odhB gene products, E1o and dihydrolipoamide transsuccinylase (E2o), remains essentially constant throughout the growth curve in nutrient sporulation medium, indicating that both are rather stable proteins. In exponentially growing cells, glucose in nutrient sporulation medium repressed the cellular concentration of the odhAB mRNA, as well as that of E1o and E2o, about four-fold. This effect is most likely the result of a decreased rate of transcription from the odhAB promoter, since neither the stability nor the 5'-end of the transcript were affected by glucose in the medium. It is concluded that the cellular concentration of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex (E1o and E2o) is regulated mainly at the transcriptional level.

Bacillus subtilis early sporulation genes kinA, spo0F, and spo0A are transcribed by the RNA polymerase containing sigma H

The Bacillus subtilis genes kinA (spoIIJ), spo0F, and spo0A encode components of the sporulation signal transduction pathway. Recent work has suggested that these genes are transcribed by a minor form of RNA polymerase, E sigma H (sigma H is the product of spo0H, another early sporulation gene). We directly tested this hypothesis by performing in vitro transcription assays with reconstituted E sigma H and a set of plasmids containing the kinA, spo0F, and spo0A promoter regions. We were able to obtain distinct transcripts of the expected sizes with all three genes by using linearized or supercoiled templates. Furthermore, primer extension experiments indicate that the transcription start sites for the three genes in vitro and in vivo are the same. In addition, we measured steady-state levels of kinA, spo0F, and spo0A mRNAs during growth in sporulation medium; all of them were increased at or near the beginning of the stationary phase.

Cloning, nucleotide sequence, and expression of the Bacillus subtilis ans operon, which codes for L-asparaginase and L-aspartase

L-Aspartase was purified from Bacillus subtilis, its N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined to construct a probe for the aspartase gene, and the gene (termed ansB) was cloned and sequenced. A second gene (termed ansA) was found upstream of the ansB gene and coded for L-asparaginase. These two genes were in an operon designated the ans operon, which is 80% cotransformed with the previously mapped aspH1 mutation at 215 degrees. Primer extension analysis of in vivo ans mRNA revealed two transcription start sites, depending on the growth medium. In wild-type cells in log-phase growth in 2x YT medium (tryptone-yeast extract rich medium), the ans transcript began at -67 relative to the translation start site, while cells in log-phase growth or sporulating (t1 to t4) in 2x SG medium (glucose nutrient broth-based moderately rich medium) had an ans transcript which began at -73. The level of the -67 transcript was greatly increased in an aspH mutant grown in 2x YT medium; the -67 transcript also predominated when this mutant was grown in 2x SG medium, although the -73 transcript was also present. In vitro transcription of the ans operon by RNA polymerase from log-phase cells grown in 2x YT medium and log-phase or sporulating cells grown in 2x SG medium yielded only the -67 transcript. Depending on the growth medium, the levels of asparaginase and aspartase were from 2- to 40-fold higher in an aspH mutant than in wild-type cells, and evidence was obtained indicating that the gene defined by the aspH1 mutation codes for a trans-acting transcriptional regulatory factor. In wild-type cells grown in 2x SG medium, the levels of both aspartase and asparaginase decreased significantly by t0 of sporulation but then showed a small increase, which was mirrored by changes in the level of beta-galactosidase from an ansB-lacZ fusion. The increase in the activities of ans operon enzymes between t2 and t5 of sporulation was found primarily in the forespore, and the great majority of the increased was found in the mature spore. However, throughout sporulation the only ans transcript detected was the -73 form, and no sporulation-specific RNA polymerase tested yielded a -73 transcript in vitro.

Regulation of spo0H, a gene coding for the Bacillus subtilis sigma H factor

The Bacillus spo0H gene codes for sigma H, which, as part of the RNA polymerase holoenzyme E sigma H, is responsible for the transcription of several genes which are expressed at the beginning of the sporulation process. In this communication, we examined the regulation of the spo0H gene of Bacillus subtilis by using lacZ reporter gene assays, quantitative RNA determinations, and Western immunoassay. The expression of the spo0H gene increases as the culture enters the mid-logarithmic stage of growth. This increased expression requires the genes spo0A, spo0B, spo0E, and spo0F, and the requirement for at least spo0A and spo0B can be bypassed when the abrB gene is mutated. The expression of the spo0H gene is constitutive in the presence of the abrB mutation, being expressed at higher levels during vegetative growth. In addition, the sof-1 mutation, in the spo0A structural gene, can bypass the need for spo0F in spo0H expression. The transcriptional start site of spo0H was determined by using RNA made in vivo as well as in vitro. These studies indicate that spo0H is transcribed by the major vegetative RNA polymerase, E sigma A. spo0H RNA and sigma H levels during growth are not identical to each other or to the pattern of expression of spoVG, a gene transcribed by E sigma H. This suggests that spo0H is regulated posttranscriptionally and also that factors in addition to sigma H levels are involved in the expression of genes of the E sigma H regulon.

Localization of a second SigH promoter in the Bacillus subtilis sigA operon and regulation of dnaE expression by the promoter

The presence of a second SigH promoter in the sigA operon of Bacillus subtilis was demonstrated by use of a promoter probe plasmid, a sigH deletion mutant, primer extension studies, and in vitro transcription with E sigma H holoenzyme. Both SigH promoters were expressed at low levels even during the growth phase but were expressed at higher levels during the early stationary phase. Expression from the upstream SigH promoter allowed the expression of both dnaE and sigA genes; however, expression from the downstream SigH promoter, which was located in the ribosome-binding site of the dnaE gene, resulted only in the expression of the sigA gene, since the truncated dnaE ribosome-binding site could not be used for initiating translation. Thus, promoter switching during the early stationary phase resulted not only in expression from SigH promoters but also in differential expression of the genes in the sigA operon.

A target for carbon source-dependent negative regulation of the citB promoter of Bacillus subtilis

Expression of the aconitase (citB) gene of Bacillus subtilis is subject to catabolite repression in cells grown in minimal media. In nutrient broth medium, citB expression is low in growing cells but is induced when cells enter sporulation. A 600-base-pair DNA fragment that extends from positions -400 through +200, relative to the transcription start site, was shown to include all of the cis-acting sequences necessary for catabolite repression and sporulation-associated regulation. This was demonstrated by fusing this DNA fragment to the Escherichia coli lacZ gene, integrating the fusion in the amyE locus of the B. subtilis chromosome, and measuring the regulation of expression of beta-galactosidase. By creating a series of deletions from either end of the 600-base-pair fragment, it was possible to define a target for catabolite repression; at least part of this target lies within the sequence between positions -84 and -68. DNA fragments that included positions -84 through +36, when carried on high-copy plasmids, caused derepression of aconitase synthesis, as if a negative regulator were being titrated. The same plasmids caused derepression of citrate synthase activity as well. Deletion of the sequence between positions -84 and -67 abolished this titration effect for both enzymes. Mutations that altered the target for catabolite repression also affected the inducibility of citB at the onset of sporulation, at least when sporulation was induced by the addition of decoyinine, an inhibitor of guanine nucleotide synthesis. When sporulation was induced by exhaustion of nutrient broth, there was no detectable difference in expression of citB-lacZ fusions whether or not they had the citB sequence from positions -84 to -67, suggesting that the mechanisms of regulation of citB in minimal medium and nutrient broth are different.

Role of sigma H in expression of the fumarase gene (citG) in vegetative cells of Bacillus subtilis 168

The fumarase gene (citG) of Bacillus subtilis is transcribed from two promoter regions, citGp1 and citGp2 (P1 and P2); the P2 promoter is used by the E sigma H form of RNA polymerase. In order to study the role of P1 and P2 in citG expression, the promoter region and various deletion derivatives that effectively separate P1 and P2 were fused to the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene (lacZ) and introduced into the chromosome in single copy at the amyE locus. P1 functioned to provide a relatively low and stable basal level of fumarase activity throughout growth. In contrast, P2 activity was found to vary over at least a 50-fold range and was responsible for regulating fumarase activity during growth and sporulation in a rich medium and in response to changes in carbon source. To further investigate the role of sigma H in fumarase regulation, citGp2-lacZ fusions were introduced into a strain in which the expression of the chromosomal spoOH gene was under the control of the isopropylthiogalactopyranoside-inducible spac promoter. Induction of pspac did not lead to P2 induction, suggesting that citG expression is not regulated at the level of spoOH transcription.

Sigma H-directed transcription of citG in Bacillus subtilis

The RNA polymerase sigma factor sigma H is essential for the onset of endospore formation in Bacillus subtilis. sigma H also is required for several additional stationary-phase-specific responses, including the normal expression of several genes that are required for the development of competence for DNA uptake. It is necessary to identify the genes that are transcribed by sigma H RNA polymerase (E sigma H) in order to understand the role of this sigma factor during the transition from exponential growth to stationary phase. Feavers et al. (Mol. Gen. Genet. 211:465-471, 1988) proposed that citG, the structural gene for fumarase, is transcribed from two promoters, one of which (citGp2 [P2]) may be used by E sigma H. It is likely that the citGp2 promoter is used by E sigma H because we found that this promoter was used accurately in vitro by E sigma H and directed expression of xylE in vivo. This xylE expression was dependent on spo0H, the structural gene for sigma H, and was independent of the citGp1 promoter. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of several sigma H-dependent promoters showed that these sequences were similar at two regions approximately 10 and 35 base pairs upstream from the start points of transcription. These sequences may signal recognition of these promoters by E sigma H. Primer extension analyses were used to examine transcription from three sigma H-dependent promoters during growth and sporulation. The citGp2 promoter appeared to be active during the middle and late stages of exponential growth, whereas activation of the spoIIA promoter was delayed until after the end of exponential growth. Evidently, promoters used by E sigma H can display different temporal patterns of expression.

Structure and expression of the cytochrome aa3 regulatory gene ctaA of Bacillus subtilis

Mutations that define the ctaA gene of Bacillus subtilis block cytochrome aa3 formation and sporulation. We have recently described the isolation and initial characterization of the ctaA locus. Analysis of in vivo mRNA transcripts by RNase protection experiments located the 5' and 3' termini of the ctaA transcript, confirming a monocistronic structure. By using a nuclease protection assay, an increase in the abundance of steady-state ctaA mRNA was observed during the initiation of sporulation, followed by a decrease during subsequent stages. Transcripts originating from the ctaA gene were most abundant 2.0 h after the end of exponential growth. This pattern of ctaA mRNA accumulation was confirmed by coupling the transcription of the ctaA gene to lacZ in an integrative plasmid vector. Expression of ctaA was not repressed by glucose and was independent of the spoOA and spoOH (sigH) gene products. Postexponential expression was found to be dependent on the product of the strC gene. The expression of ctaA appears to be regulated in a growth stage-specific manner. The transcriptional start site, identified by high-resolution S1 nuclease protection experiments, was preceded by a single sigma A-dependent promoter sequence.

Identification and characterization of genes controlled by the sporulation-regulatory gene spo0H in Bacillus subtilis

We describe a general strategy for the identification of genes that are controlled by a specific regulatory factor in vivo and the use of this strategy to identify genes in Bacillus subtilis that are controlled by spo0H, a regulatory gene required for the initiation of sporulation. The general strategy makes use of a cloned regulatory gene fused to an inducible promoter to control expression of the regulatory gene and random gene fusions to a reporter gene to monitor expression in the presence and absence of the regulatory gene product. spo0H encodes a sigma factor of RNA polymerase, sigma H, and is required for the extensive reprograming of gene expression during the transition from growth to stationary phase and during the initiation of sporulation. We identified 18 genes that are controlled by sigma H (csh genes) in vivo by monitoring expression of random gene fusions to lacZ, made by insertion mutagenesis with the transposon Tn917lac, in the presence and absence of sigma H. These genes had lower levels of expression in the absence of sigma H than in the presence of sigma H. Patterns of expression of the csh genes during growth and sporulation in wild-type and spo0H mutant cells indicated that other regulatory factors are probably involved in controlling expression of some of these genes. Three of the csh::Tn917lac insertion mutations caused noticeable phenotypes. One caused a defect in vegetative growth, but only in combination with a spo0H mutation. Two others caused a partial defect in sporulation. One of these also caused a defect in the development of genetic competence. Detailed characterization of some of the csh genes and their regulatory regions should help define the role of spo0H in the regulation of gene expression during the transition from growth to stationary phase and during the initiation of sporulation.

Transcriptional and posttranscriptional control of the Bacillus subtilis succinate dehydrogenase operon

The amount of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in Bacillus subtilis varies with growth conditions. In this work we studied the steady-state level and the rate of decay of B. subtilis sdh mRNA under different growth conditions. In exponentially growing cells, the steady-state level of sdh mRNA was severalfold lower when glucose was present compared with growth without glucose, whereas the rate of decay of sdh mRNA was the same with and without glucose. Thus, glucose repression seems to act by decreasing sdh mRNA synthesis. When the bacteria entered the stationary phase, the steady-state level of sdh mRNA dropped about sixfold. At the same time, sdh mRNA half-life decreased from 2.6 to 0.4 min. This result indicates that transcription of the sdh operon is initiated at the same rate in exponentially growing and in stationary-phase cells. The start point of the sdh transcripts, as measured by primer extension, was the same under all conditions studied, suggesting that the sdh operon is solely controlled by the previously identified sigma 43-like promoter. The increase of SDH activity in stationary phase may be explained by reduced dilution of the SDH proteins as a result of the retarded growth rate. We suggest that enhanced degradation of the sdh transcript is a means by which the bacteria adjust expression to the demands of stationary phase.