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The sequencing of two Bacillus subtilis genome regions with sizes 18,900 and 25,400 bp revealed two new genes designated SigV and SigZ. These genes encode proteins similar to RNA polymerase sigma factors, which belong to the extracytoplasmic functions subfamily. The two encoding proteins can not bind to DNA without RNA polymerase core enzyme because they do not have a N-terminal sequence.

Two regions with sizes 18,900 and 25,400 bp, which join previously known contigs containing levRDEFG, aadK and blt genes near 235 degrees of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome, were sequenced. Among others, two genes, which encode proteins homologous to RNA polymerase sigma-factors, were identified within this region. The gene products designated SigV and SigZ, show the highest homology with sigma-factors encoded by the gene carQ of Myxococcus xanthus and sigX (formerly orfX20) of B. subtilis, correspondingly. All sigma-factors which show statistically significant homology to SigV and SigZ, belong to the ECF (extracytoplasmic functions) subfamily. SigV and SigZ do not have N-terminal sequence which prevents such proteins from binding to DNA without RNA polymerase core enzyme.