Required for production of the bacteriocin SkfA. By Spo0A (PubMed:12817086) and PhoP, during nutrient starvation, especially phosphate starvation. Repressed by AbrB during normal growth when nutrients are plentiful, in association with the transcriptional repressor Abh. When the skfA-skfB-skfC-skfE-skfF-skfG-skfH operon is deleted, increased rate of spore formation; a double operon deletion (sdpA-sdpC plus skfA-skfH) makes spores even faster (PubMed:12817086). Accelerated cannibalism by skf- cells is seen on solid media but not in liquid media.