title: Gamma-butyrolactone and furan signaling systems in Streptomyces.
abstract: Streptomyces bacteria produce different classes of diffusible signaling molecules that trigger secondary metabolite production and/or morphological development within the cell population. The biosynthesis of gamma-butyrolactones (GBLs) and 2-alkyl-4-hydroxymethylfuran-3-carboxylic acids (AHFCAs) signaling molecules is related and involves an essential AfsA-like butenolide synthase. This chapter first describes the catalytic role of AfsA-like enzyme then provides details about methods for the discovery and characterization of potentially novel signaling molecules. In section 4, one approach for establishing the biological role of these signaling molecules is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sidda
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corre
mesh_terms: D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004099:Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D057075:Enzyme Assays; D005663:Furans / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055442:Metabolome; D005810:Multigene Family; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C108224:AfsA protein, Streptomyces griseus; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D005663:Furans; D004099:Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate; D015107:4-Butyrolactone; C039281:furan