Anti-sigma factors are small proteins that bind to sigma factors and inhibit transcriptional activity in regulating prokaryote gene expression. Anti-sigma factors have both a sigma-binding domain and a sensory/signaling domain; this allows them to respond to signals inside and outside the cell. Anti-sigma factors have been found in several bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella, and viruses such as the T4 bacteriophage. Anti-sigma factors have an antagonistic effect on sigma factors. Each sigma factor has an associated anti-sigma factor that regulates it. These anti-sigma factors are divided into cytoplasmic-bound anti-sigma factors and inner membrane-bound anti-sigma factors. The differences in these sigma factors are where in the cell they are bound. Cytoplasmic-bound anti-sigma factors include FlgM, DnaK, RssB, and HscC. Inner membrane-bound anti-sigma factors, also called extra-cytoplasmic function (ECF) anti-sigma factors, include FecR and RseA. ECF anti-sigma factors tend to be more diverse in genetic sequence than cytoplasmic-bound anti-sigma factors. These factors regulate many cellular processes, such as flagellum assembly, transport of materials, cell growth, and the cell's stress response.Sigma factors are essential proteins that start the transcription by binding with RNAP; anti-sigma factors are proteins that inhibit the activities of sigma factors affected by several mechanisms. These mechanisms include adding up the anti-sigma factor between sigma or twisting the anti-sigma factor around sigma—gene regulation, especially in bacteria, allows for adaptivity and normal cell differentiation and development. Gene regulation has many different layers of regulators. Yet, initiating transcription is crucial in controlling which genes are expressed.
Anti-sigma factors are simultaneously transcribed with their associated sigma factor. This pairing creates a negative feedback loop, maintaining proper levels of both contrasting factors as there can only be one anti-sigma factor per sigma factor that is transcribed.
Research shows anti-sigma factors have more activities than contouring sigma factors effects. Anti-sigma factors can also activate some cells while inhibiting others, meaning they have an essential role in cell function.