Transcription in the prpC-yloQ region in Bacillus subtilis.

The prpC and prkC genes encode two proteins with opposing activities, eukaryotic-like protein phosphatase and protein kinase involved in the sporulation and biofilm formation processes. The prpC gene overlaps 3 bp of the prkC gene; prkC is followed by the essential gene, yloQ. The organisation of the prpC, prkC and yloQ genes is conserved among several Gram-positive bacteria. In this work, we have found two promoters which function within the region of these genes and we also described conditions in which these promoters become activated. One promoter appears to be located upstream of prpC resulting in transcription of both prpC and prkC, as well as the yloQ gene. A second promoter is located 7 bp upstream of the start codon of yloQ. The yloQ promoter was activated during ethanol stress, but was sigmaB-independent. We also showed that prpC, prkC and yloQ genes form an operon.