title: A pivotal role for the response regulator DegU in controlling multicellular behaviour.
abstract: Bacteria control multicellular behavioural responses, including biofilm formation and swarming motility, by integrating environmental cues through a complex regulatory network. Heterogeneous gene expression within an otherwise isogenic cell population that allows for differentiation of cell fate is an intriguing phenomenon that adds to the complexity of multicellular behaviour. This review focuses on recent data about how DegU, a pleiotropic response regulator, co-ordinates multicellular behaviour in Bacillus subtilis. We review studies that challenge the conventional understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the DegU regulatory system and others that describe novel targets of DegU during activation of biofilm formation by B. subtilis. We also discuss a novel role for DegU in regulating multicellular processes in the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, MSI/WTB/JBC Complex, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Ewan J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, MSI/WTB/JBC Complex, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Taryn B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Kiley
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, MSI/WTB/JBC Complex, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Stanley-Wall
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C066497:DegU protein, Bacteria