title: Identification and characterization of the genes responsible for the production of the cyclic lipopeptide arthrofactin by Pseudomonas sp. MIS38.
abstract: Pseudomonas sp. MIS38 produces an effective biosurfactant named arthrofactin, which is a cyclic lipopeptide synthesized by a mega complex composed of three nonribosomal peptide synthetases. In order to gain insight into the control mechanism of arthrofactin production, a Tn5 mutant library was constructed and screened for arthrofactin-deficient mutants. Along with a number of mutations that occurred in the arthrofactin synthetase operon, three other mutants harbored distinct Tn5 insertions in the genes encoding SyrF-like protein (arfF), heat shock protein (htpG), and (p)ppGpp synthetase/hydrolase (spoT). Epistasis analyses revealed that spoT functions early in the arthrofactin production pathway. We also found that spoT affects MIS38 swarming, biofilm formation, and the cell morphology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biosphere Science, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Washio
authors.forename: Siew Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Niran
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roongsawang
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morikawa
mesh_terms: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006159:Guanosine Tetraphosphate / Q000096:biosynthesis; D055666:Lipopeptides / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000172:deficiency; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009154:Mutation; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000172:deficiency; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D055666:Lipopeptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C083714:arthrofactin; D006159:Guanosine Tetraphosphate