Hyperphosphorylation of DegU cancels CcpA-dependent catabolite repression of rocG in Bacillus subtilis.

Background: The two-component regulatory system, involving the histidine sensor kinase DegS and response regulator DegU, plays an important role to control various cell processes in the transition phase of Bacillus subtilis. The degU32 allele in strain 1A95 is characterized by the accumulation of phosphorylated form of DegU (DegU-P).

Results: Growing 1A95 cells elevated the pH of soytone-based medium more than the parental strain 168 after the onset of the transition phase.

Differential substrate specificity of two inositol transporters of Bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis IolT is the major myo-inositol transporter for growth, while IolF is a minor one unable to support growth. We found that either IolT or IolF was sufficient for moderate growth using D-chiro-inositol. Conversely to IolT, IolF transported D-chiro-inositol more preferentially than myo-inositol.