Transient gene asymmetry during sporulation and establishment of cell specificity in Bacillus subtilis

Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is initiated by an asymmetric division gen erating two cells of different size and fate. During a short interval, the smaller forespore harbors only 30% of the chromosome until the remaining pa rt is translocated across the septum. We demonstrate that moving the gene f or sigma(F), the forespore-specific transcription factor, in the trapped re gion of the chromosome is sufficient to produce spores in the absence of th e essential activators SpoIIA and SpoIIE. We propose that transient genetic asymmetry is the device that releases SpoIIE phosphatase activity in the f orespore and establishes cell specificity.