The expression of the bstVIM gene from Bacillus stearothermophilus V is restricted to vegetative cell growth

摘要

The activity of BstVI DNA methyltransferase was monitored during the sporulative cycle of Bacillus stearothermophi lus V. Significant methylase activity was found only in bacteria growing vegetatively. This was confirmed by Northern hybridization, which indicated that the bstVIM gene was not transcribed in cells undergoing sporulation. Supporting evidence came from experiments which demonstrated that the RNA polymerase holoenzyme from these cells did not recognize the promoter elements upstream of the bstVIM gene.