Dissecting the function of the SpoIIIJ and YqjG membrane protein insertases during bacterial spore development

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology, Microbial Biology

SpoIIIJ and YqjG are the two members of the evolutionarily conserved YidC/Oxa1/Alb3 family of membrane protein insertases present in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Whilst either is capable of supporting viability, only SpoIIIJ is functional during sporulation, a carefully regulated developmental process that culminates in the formation of a dormant and highly resistant structure, the endospore. This partial functional overlap contrasts with the general picture of the family, for which trans-domain complementation is well documented.(...)