Bypass of A- and B-signaling requirements for Myxococcus xanthus development by mutations in spdR

Mutations in spdR, previously reported to bypass the developmental requirement for B-signaling in Myxococcus xanthus, also bypass the requirement for A-signaling but not C-, D-, or E-signaling. Mutations in spdR restored nearly wild-type levels of sporulation to representative A-signal-deficient mutants carrying asgA476, asgB480, and asgC767 and improved the quality of fruiting body formation in the asgB480 mutant. The defect in A-factor production by the asgB480 mutant was not restored in the spdR2134 asgB480 double mutant.