The master transcription factor Spo0A is required for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) accumulation and expression of genes involved in PHB biosynthesis in Bacillus thuringiensis.
Bacillus thuringiensis is a gram-positive spore-forming bacterium that can accumulate poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) as a carbon and energy storage substance in response to nutritional stress. The regulatory mechanism for PHB biosynthesis in B. thuringiensis and diverse Bacillus species is still poorly understood. We now report that disruption of the sigH gene or the gene encoding the master sporulation transcription factor Spo0A severely impaired PHB accumulation in B. thuringiensis. Complementation of the spo0A mutation with the spo0A gene restored PHB accumulation. We have found that the requirement of Spo0A for PHB accumulation is independent of the transition state regulator AbrB and of loss of sporulation ability. We also show that Spo0A is required for the expression of three genes involved in PHB biosynthesis. These findings have uncovered a new role of Spo0A in the regulation of stationary-phase-associated cellular events.
Chen
Hui-Ju
HJ
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Tsai
Teng-Kuan
TK
Pan
Shih-Chuan
SC
Lin
Jer-Sheng
JS
Tseng
Chi-Ling
CL
Shaw
Gwo-Chyuan
GC
D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000378:metabolism*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
D000217:Acyltransferases; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011091:Polyesters; D014157:Transcription Factors; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C060970:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate polymerase