sigmaA

SigmaA, also written as sigma A or SigA, is the designation for the primary sigma factor found in several Gram-positive bacteria, most notably Bacillus subtilis. It serves as the housekeeping sigma factor, directing RNA polymerase to promoters of genes required for basic cellular functions during exponential growth. SigmaA is functionally analogous to the sigma-70 family members characterized in other bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, and is essential for viability in species that rely on it.

The sigA gene encodes the SigmaA protein. In the cell, SigmaA associates with the RNA polymerase core enzyme to form the holoenzyme, which recognizes and initiates transcription at promoter regions typical of constitutively expressed, essential genes. Its activity establishes the baseline transcription program of a growing cell and sets the stage for the action of alternative sigma factors that become important under stress, stationary phase, or development.

Regulation of SigmaA activity occurs within broader transcriptional networks that balance growth with environmental responses. While many bacteria deploy alternative sigma factors to redirect transcription in response to stress or differentiation, SigmaA remains the default program in many Bacillus species. The interplay between SigmaA and other regulatory components ensures coordinated expression of housekeeping functions alongside adaptive responses.

SigmaA is conserved among many Firmicutes and related bacteria, reflecting its role as a central organizer of transcription in vegetative growth. Comparative studies of SigA provide insights into promoter recognition, RNA polymerase interaction, and the evolution of bacterial transcriptional control.