PrpE from Bacillus subtilis belongs to the PPP protein phosphatases family. Currently is know that PrpE is implicated in the sporulation process; in particular, it is involved directly in germination of spores. This protein is involved in controlling expression of the gerA and gerK operons and is part of a novel regulatory circuit.

The gene prpE is located at 105 degrees of the B. subtilis genetic map between yjbO and yjbQ, transcribed in opposite directions. The location of the promoter driving expression of prpE is unknown. In this work we present results of transcription analysis in the region of prpE gene. On the basis of microscope observations using the PrpE-GFP fusion we shoved that prpE is expressed during sporulation. In order to test this possibility we used a series of deletion mutants in genes coding for different sigma subunits σ^H, σ^F, σ^E, σ^G and σ^K involved in the sporulation process. These mutants were analyzed for real-time RT-PCR of the prpE exspresion in stationary-phase cultures. Results of this experiment shoved that expression of prpE in σ^G and σ^k mutants was decreased. This suggests that expression of this genedepends on the specific-sporulation sigma factors. On the other hand, during exponential growth of the wild type and all the mutants we also detected small amounts of the PrpE-GFP fusion protein, used the Western blot analysis, which increased significantly as cells entered stationary phase. This suggests that expression of prpE may also depend on the housekeeping sigma factor, σ^A.

Preliminary computer analysis showed presence of at least six potential promoters sequence in the region of prpE gene. Used the specific primer in the RACE method (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) we found two signals which suggest the existence of two transcription start site upstream of prpE gene. We were able identified one of them and named pEa which correspond to the position 1239489 in the B. subtilis chromosome. Presence of the sequence similar to the σ^A consensus near the start site of transcription suggests that this is σ^A -dependent promoter.

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