CHARACTERIZATION OF CSGA, A NEW MEMBER OF THE FORESPORE-EXPRESSED SIGMA(G)-REGULON FROM BACILLUS-SUBTILIS

A new locus, csgA, has been identified in a search for developmental g enes transcribed by E sigma(G) in Bacillus subtilis. csgA has the pote ntial to encode three small proteins, CsgAA, CsgAB and CsgAC. The latt er two would be encoded by overlapping ORFs. csgA is expressed in the spore chamber of the differentiating cell and is under the control of sigma(G) and the transcriptional regulatory protein SpoVT. Mutation of csgA did not affect spore formation but produced a subtle defect in t he ability of the germinating spore to resume vegetative growth.