Autoregulatory factors of secondary metabolism and morphogenesis in actinomycetes.
The Gram-positive bacterial genus Streptomyces possesses interesting biological aspects, such as the ability to produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites and a mycelial form of growth that culminates in sporulation. A close relationship of secondary metabolism and cell differentiation has been well recognized; secondary metabolism might be a physiological expression of cell differentiation. A variety of diffusible low-molecular-weight chemical substances have been found to function in general as regulatory factors, like "hormones" in eukaryotes, for secondary metabolism and cell differentiation. Among these factors, A-factor has been most extensively studied. This review summarizes recent research on the chemical structures, functions, biosyntheses, and mode of action of these regulatory factors.
Horinouchi
S
S
University of Tokyo, Japan.
Beppu
T
T
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D009024:Morphogenesis; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D006133:Growth Substances; C025035:A-factor (Streptomyces); D015107:4-Butyrolactone