Transcription of genes near the sspE locus of the Bacillus subtilis genome

The yfhP, yfhQ (mutY homologue), yfhS and yfhR (oxidoreductase homologue) g enes, which are located upstream of the sspE locus, have been identified in the Bacillus subtilis genome. Transcriptional analysis showed that yfhP, y fhQ and yfhR are transcribed during the exponential growth phase, and sspE is monocistronically transcribed in the late sporulation phase and co-trans cribed with yfhQ and/or yfhR during exponential growth. However, SspE was n ot translated during this period. Northern blot and primer extension analys es indicated that yfhS is transcribed by E sigma(E) during sporulation. No significant difference between wild-type and yfhS mutant strains was found in the rate of sporulation or germination, the heat tolerance of spores or the transcription of the sspE locus during sporulation. The transcription o f the yfhP and yfhQ-yfhR-sspE loci increased 2.5- and 5.3-fold in a yfhP-de ficient strain compared to the wild-type strain at t(-2) (2 h before initia tion of sporulation). In addition, transcription corresponding to the yfhR- sspE loci increased more than twofold with maximum values observed at t(-15 ). These results suggest that YfhP may act as a negative regulator for the transcription of yfhB yfhR, sspE and yfhP.