Abstact

Cell type-specific transcription during Bacillus sporulation is established by sigmaF. SpoIIAB is an anti-sigma that binds and negatively regulates sigmaF, as well as a serine kinase that phosphorylates and inactivates the anti-anti-sigma SpoIIAA. The crystal structure of sigmaF bound to the SpoIIAB dimer in the low-affinity, ADP form has been determined at 2.9 A resolution. SpoIIAB adopts the GHKL superfamily fold of ATPases and histidine kinases. A domain of sigmaF contacts both SpoIIAB monomers, while 80% of the sigma factor is disordered. The interaction occludes an RNA polymerase binding surface of sigmaF, explaining the SpoIIAB anti-sigma activity. The structure also explains the specificity of SpoIIAB for its target sigma factors and, in combination with genetic and biochemical data, provides insight into the mechanism of SpoIIAA anti-anti-sigma activity.