D. B. Kearns

ComI inhibits transformation in Bacillus subtilis by selectively killing competent cells

The paper investigates how ComI, a transmembrane peptide in Bacillus subtilis, inhibits transformation by selectively killing competent cells through permeabilization.

SwrA extends DegU over an UP element to activate flagellar gene expression in Bacillus subtilis

The paper shows SwrA extends DegU binding over a UP element to activate flagellar gene expression in Bacillus subtilis, enabling motility and swarming.

The alternative sigma factor SigN of Bacillus subtilis is intrinsically toxic

This study shows that the alternative sigma factor SigN of Bacillus subtilis is intrinsically toxic when overexpressed, leading to cell death by outcompeting the vegetative sigma factor SigA for RNA polymerase core binding.

Penicillin-binding protein redundancy in Bacillus subtilis enables growth during alkaline shock

This study shows that Bacillus subtilis uses redundant penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) to adapt to alkaline stress, with some PBPs becoming more active or modified during alkaline shock.

Active bulging promotes biofilm formation in a bacterial swarm

The paper identifies 'active bulging' as a process that promotes biofilm formation in bacterial swarms through liquid bulge formation and cell density manipulation.

Fatty acid synthesis knockdown promotes biofilm wrinkling and inhibits sporulation in Bacillus subtilis

This study uses CRISPRi to knockdown essential genes in Bacillus subtilis and finds that fatty acid synthesis knockdown increases biofilm wrinkling and inhibits sporulation.

Identification of genes required for swarming motility in Bacillus subtilis using transposon mutagenesis and high-throughput sequencing (TnSeq)

This study uses TnSeq to identify genes required for swarming motility in Bacillus subtilis, finding known flagellar genes, previously reported regulators, and 36 additional genes that enhance swarming.

The division defect of a Bacillus subtilis minD noc double mutant can be suppressed by Spx-dependent and Spx-independent mechanisms

This study identifies Spx-dependent and Spx-independent mechanisms that suppress division defects in a Bacillus subtilis minD noc double mutant at high temperature.

Molecular and cell biological analysis of SwrB in Bacillus subtilis

This study investigates SwrB's role in Bacillus subtilis flagellar type III secretion, showing it acts sub-stoichiometrically and transiently, with specific residues critical for its function.

CwlQ is required for swarming motility but not flagellar assembly in Bacillus subtilis

The paper identifies CwlQ as essential for flagellar-dependent swarming motility in Bacillus subtilis but not for flagellar assembly.

Bacterial Swarmers exhibit a Protective Response to Intestinal Stress

This study identifies bacterial swarmers as protective against intestinal inflammation in mice and humans, showing their ability to enrich beneficial gut microbes.

Noc corrals migration of FtsZ protofilaments during cytokinesis in Bacillus subtilis

This study shows Noc prevents FtsZ protofilaments from migrating between Z-rings in B. subtilis, stabilizing cytokinesis without controlling division site selection.

NusG is an intrinsic transcription termination factor that stimulates motility and coordinates global gene expression with NusA

This study identifies NusG as an intrinsic termination factor that works with NusA to facilitate termination at most intrinsic terminators and regulates gene expression and motility in Bacillus subtilis.

Contact with the CsrA core is required for allosteric inhibition by FliW in Bacillus subtilis

This study identifies FliW residues critical for inhibiting CsrA in Bacillus subtilis and proposes a mechanism involving salt bridge formation and core domain deformation.

Harnessing β-Lactam Antibiotics for Illumination of the Activity of Penicillin-Binding Proteins in Bacillus subtilis

This study identifies β-lactam antibiotics that selectively inhibit specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in Bacillus subtilis and reveals PBP3 activity patterns using activity-based probes.

The Min system disassembles FtsZ foci and inhibits polar peptidoglycan remodeling in Bacillus subtilis

This study quantifies FtsZ dynamics in Bacillus subtilis and shows the Min system disassembles Z-rings and inhibits polar peptidoglycan remodeling.

TnFLX: a third-generation mariner-based transposon system for Bacillus subtilis

The paper introduces an improved mariner-based transposon system for Bacillus subtilis with enhanced stability and versatile applications for gene disruption and expression reporting.

Biosurfactant production maintains viability in anoxic conditions by depolarizing the membrane in Bacillus subtilis

This study shows that surfactin production in Bacillus subtilis enhances viability under anoxic conditions by depolarizing the membrane, contrasting with its harmful effects in aerobic environments.

Transcriptional Regulation and Mechanism of SigN (ZpdN), a pBS32 encoded Sigma Factor

The paper identifies SigN, a sigma factor encoded on plasmid pBS32, which mediates DNA damage-induced cell death through its regulon and self-regulation via three promoters.