Regulator DegU is required for multicellular behavior in Lysinibacillus sphaericus
Yimin Hu1, Quanxin Cai2, Shen Tian2
1Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430070, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China.
Research in Microbiology
|January 30, 2018
Summary
DegU, a key regulator in Lysinibacillus sphaericus, controls swarming motility, biofilm formation, sporulation, and toxin production. Phosphorylation is essential for DegU function, impacting bacterial environmental responses.
Area of Science:
- Bacterial Physiology
- Signal Transduction
- Molecular Microbiology
Background:
- DegS-DegU two-component systems are crucial for bacterial environmental responses.
- Limited research exists on DegS-DegU functions in mosquitocidal Lysinibacillus sphaericus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological roles of the DegS-DegU system in Lysinibacillus sphaericus.
- To elucidate the regulatory network mediated by DegU.
Main Methods:
- Gene deletion studies (degU, degS-degU).
- Analysis of swarming motility, biofilm formation, sporulation, and binary toxin production.
- Investigation of gene regulation and phosphorylation-dependent functions of DegU.
Main Results:
- Deletion of degU or degS-degU impaired swarming motility, biofilm formation, sporulation, and binary toxin production.
- Phosphorylation of DegU is critical for its regulatory functions.
- DegU regulates genes involved in sporulation, binary toxin production, biofilm formation, and motility, including interactions with Spo0A.
Conclusions:
- DegU acts as a global transcriptional regulator in L. sphaericus.
- DegU influences swarming motility, biofilm formation, sporulation, and virulence.
- The DegS-DegU system is vital for L. sphaericus adaptation and pathogenicity.
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