An anti-sigma factor for sporulation specific sigma-F factor, by antagonizing sigma-F it allows the switch to sigma-G factor and progression to the late sporulation development stages (PubMed:21037003). Might stabilize or process Holliday junction intermediates, although this may be due to polar effects on the downstream mfd gene (PubMed:15317759). Diffusely expressed in the forespore throughout spore development. Induced at 2 hours after sporulation onset as part of the sigma-F regulon, followed by further induction after 3 hours as part of the sigma-G regulon; its concentration rises throughout sporulation (at protein level) (PubMed:21037003). Cells missing this gene prolong the activity of sigma-F factor and do not fully induce the activity of sigma-G factor; sporulation efficiency is reduced 50-fold with most spores arresting in the engulfment stage (III) (PubMed:21037003). About 10-fold increased sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, 60% reduced chromosomal DNA transformation; plasmid transformation is unaffected. Partially suppresses DNA damaging agent sensitivity of recU deletions (PubMed:11810266). Partially suppresses DNA damaging agent sensitivity of recU deletions (PubMed:11810266). Partially suppresses DNA repair and chromosome segregation defects in ruvA and recG mutants cells, but not in recD or recU mutant cells (PubMed:15317759). Recombination phenotypes may be due to polar effects on the downstream gene mfd rather than due to loss of the anti-sigma factor (PubMed:21037003).