Translation of the open reading frame encoded by comS, a gene of the srf operon, is necessary for the development of genetic competence, but not surfactin biosynthesis, in Bacillus subtilis.

A small open reading frame, comS of the srf operon, is the site of mutations that impair competence development in Bacillus subtilis. comS open reading frame translation was required for competence, as was confirmed by the suppression of a comS amber mutation [comS(Am)] by the nonsense suppressor sup-3. comS(Am), when introduced into the srf operon, eliminated late competence gene expression but had no significant effect on surfactin production.