Developmentally regulated protein synthesis during intraperiplasmic growth of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J is an obligate intraperiplasmic predator of other Gram-negative bacteria. Collision with a suitable prey cell initiates a developmental sequence ultimately resulting in the destruction of the prey cell and the production of progeny bdellovibrios. Two-dimensional gel analysis of patterns of protein synthesis at various times in a synchronously growing culture of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J revealed over 30 polypeptides whose syntheses are developmentally regulated. The majority of these polypeptides fall into nine categories: attack phase specific or one of eight different kinetic groups expressed during the intraperiplasmic growth phase. The results indicate that Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J has a complex system for regulating gene expression during its developmental cycle.