Global Expression Profile of Bacillus subtilis Grown in the Presence of Sulfate or Methionine

DNA arrays were used to investigate the global transcriptional profile of Bacillus subtilis grown in the presence of sulfate or methionine as the sole sulfur source. The expression of at least 56 genes differed significantly under the two growth conditions. The expression of several genes belonging to the S-box regulon was repressed in the presence of methionine probably in response to S-adenosylmethionine availability. The expression of genes encoding transporters (yhcL, ytmJKLMN, and yxeMO) was high when the sulfur source was methionine or taurine and reduced when it was sulfate.