Multilevel regulation of Streptomyces differentiation

Streptomyces species are unusual among bacteria in their extensive colony differentiation, which involves the development of spore-bearing aerial hyphae on mycelial colonies. This process, which is usually accompanied by antibiotic production, is controlled by factors as diverse as pheromones, a transfer RNA and a sigma factor dedicated to differentiation, and perhaps by storage compounds and substances related to antibiotics.