Analysis of the messenger RNAs in Spores of Bacillus subtilis

Using RNA-seq, we cataloged messenger RNAs in highly purified dormant Bacillus subtilis spores prepared either on plates or in liquid. Almost all of the most abundant spore mRNAs are encoded by genes expressed only in the developing spore late in sporulation under control of the forespore-specific RNA polymerase sigma factor, sG. Given the levels of the ~40 most abundant mRNAs in dormant spores, we calculated the great majority of the low abundance mRNAs can be present in only a small fraction of the spore population. Examination of highly purified spores from B. subtilis strain PS533, a laboratory 168 derivative that contains plasmid pUB110. Dormant spores were prepared either on plates or in liquid.