A Novel Prophage-like Insertion Element within Triggers Early Entry into Sporulation in .

Sporulation is a finely regulated morphogenetic program important in the ecology and epidemiology of . Exogenous elements disrupting sporulation-associated genes contribute to sporulation regulation and introduce diversity in the generally conserved sporulation programs of endospore formers. We identified a novel prophage-like DNA segment, termed the element, inserted within , encoding a sporulation-specific cysteine protease, in an environmental isolate of .

Sporulation Strategies and Potential Role of the Exosporium in Survival and Persistence of .

produces the botulinum neurotoxin that causes botulism, a rare but potentially lethal paralysis. Endospores play an important role in the survival, transmission, and pathogenesis of . strains are very diverse, both genetically and ecologically.