Abstract
The ComX pheromone is a posttranslationally modified oligopeptide that stimulates natural genetic competence in Bacillus subtilis. Various ComX(RO-E-2) analogs were synthesized and their biological activities were studied to investigate structure-activity relationships. These results showed that the minimal active unit was the tripeptide, [3-5]ComX(RO-E-2), and all residues except the modified tryptophan residue were replaceable by alanine without total loss of activity.