BACILLUS-SUBTILIS SPOIIID PROTEIN BINDS TO 2 SITES IN THE SPOVD PROMOTER AND REPRESSES TRANSCRIPTION BY SIGMA(E) RNA-POLYMERASE

The Bacillus subtilis spoVD gene encodes a penicillin-binding protein required for spore morphogenesis. SpoIIID is a sequence-specific DNA-b inding protein that activates or represses the transcription of many d ifferent genes. We have defined the spoVD) promoter region and demonst rated that it is recognized by sigma(E) RNA polymerase in vitro and th at SpoIIID represses spoVD transcription. Two strong SpoIIID-binding s ites were mapped in the spoVD promoter region, one overlapping the -35 region and the other encompassing the -10 region and the transcriptio nal start site.