1. Here we show that a feedback loop connects the levels of sigma K and SpoIIID, such that production of sigma K leads to a decrease in the level of spoIIID. 2. Induction of the Bacillus subtilis kinA gene, which codes for a major kinase of the phosphorelay pathway does not required the genes spo0A, spo0B, and spo0F at the onset of sporulation. 3. Induction of the Bacillus subtilis kinA gene, which codes for a major kinase of the phosphorelay pathway , required the spo0H gene, coding for the sigma H protein, but not the genes spo0A, spo0B, and spo0F at the onset of sporulation. 3. Induction of the Bacillus subtilis kinA gene, which codes for a major kinase of the phosphorelay pathway, required the spo0H gene, coding for the sigma H protein, but not the genes spo0A, spo0B, and spo0F at the onset of sporulation. 4. The existence of the feedback loop was demonstrated by using antibodies prepared against SpoIIID to measure the level of spoIIID during sporulation of wild-type cells, mutants defective in sigma K production, and a mutant engineered to produce sigma K earlier than normal. 4. The existence of the feedback loop was demonstrated by using antibodies prepared against SpoIIID to measure the level of spoIIID during sporulation of wild-type cells, mutants defective in sigma K production, and a mutant engineered to produce sigma K earlier than normal. ????? ????? 5. The sigma H factor, on the other hand, is dispensable for the switch in the position of the ftsZ assembly site. 6. Previous studies showed that SpoIIID is needed to produce sigma K, but suggested that spoIIID represses sigma K-directed transcription of genes encoding spore coat proteins. 6. Previous studies showed that SpoIIID is needed to produce sigma K, but suggested that spoIIID represses sigma K -directed transcription of genes encoding spore coat proteins. 7. Induction of the Bacillus subtilis kinA gene , which codes for a major kinase of the phosphorelay pathway , required the spo0H gene, coding for the sigma H protein 7. Induction of the Bacillus subtilis kinA gene , which codes for a major kinase of the phosphorelay pathway , required the spo0H gene, coding for the sigma H protein 7. Induction of the Bacillus subtilis kinA gene , which codes for a major kinase of the phosphorelay pathway , required the po0H gene, coding for the sigma H protein