Research: Project 1

In a starving cell, the DNA replication machinery (purple) completes chromosome (blue) duplication. σ^A and σ^H RNA polymerase transcribe genes whose products cause the polar septum to form. A region near each chromosome’s origin of replication is bound by a complex of proteins (red) that attaches to the membrane at opposite cell poles. The polar septum forms with the DNA translocase SpoIIIE (green) at the annulus, capturing one-third of one chromosome in the forespore. σ^F becomes active in the forespore and this leads to activation of σ^E in the mother cell (green arrow). SpoIIIE translocates the remaining two-thirds of one chromosome into the forespore. Products of genes under σ^F and σ^E control drive migration of the septal membranes around the forespore in the phagocytic-like process of engulfment (orange arrows). Completion of engulfment pinches off the forespore as a free protoplast within the mother cell. Two membranes surround the forespore and separate its contents from the mother cell cytoplasm. σ^G becomes active in the forespore, leading to activation of σ^K in the mother cell (red arrow). Primarily, genes under σ^E and σ^K control cause synthesis of a loosely crosslinked peptidoglycan termed cortex, between the two membranes surrounding the forespore, and synthesis of proteins that assemble on the surface of the forespore to produce the spore coat. The forespore chromosome is condensed into a toroid by binding of small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP) (yellow), expressed under σ^G control. Not shown are subsequent steps which include spore maturation and release of the spore via lysis of the mother cell.