A novel diffusible substance can overcome the apparent AbrB repression of the Bacillus subtilis fatR promoter.

Abstract

In this work we present evidence for a novel diffusible extracellular factor that modulates gene expression in Bacillus subtilis. The factor was found when studying the regulation of the fatR-cyp102A3 operon. In a Spo0A(-) mutant expression of the fatR-cyp102A3 operon was almost abolished. The fatR-cyp102A3 expression defect of a Spo0A(-) mutant could be overcome either by a mutation in the abrB gene or by a diffusible substance excreted by wild-type, abrB mutant and abrB-spo0A double mutant strains.