title: Heterogeneous regulation of bacterial natural product biosynthesis via a novel transcription factor.
abstract: Biological diversity arises among genetically equal subpopulations in the same environment, a phenomenon called phenotypic heterogeneity. The life cycle of the enteric bacteriumPhotorhabdus luminescensinvolves a symbiotic interaction with nematodes as well as a pathogenic association with insect larvae.P. luminescensexists in two distinct phenotypic forms designated as primary (1°) and secondary (2°). In contrast to 1° cells, 2° cells are non-pigmented due to the absence of natural compounds, especially anthraquinones (AQs). We identified a novel type of transcriptional regulator, AntJ, which activates expression of theantA-Ioperon responsible for AQ production. AntJ heterogeneously activates the AQ production in singleP. luminescens1° cells, and blocks AQ production in 2° cells. AntJ contains a proposed ligand-binding WYL-domain, which is widespread among bacteria. AntJ is one of the rare examples of regulators that mediate heterogeneous gene expression by altering activity rather than copy number in single cells.
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Merck Stiftungsprofessur für Molekulare Biotechnologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Antje K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.affiliation: Bereich Mikrobiologie, Biozentrum Martinsried, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glaeser
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Merck Stiftungsprofessur für Molekulare Biotechnologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Tobias
authors.affiliation: Bereich Mikrobiologie, Biozentrum Martinsried, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heermann
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Merck Stiftungsprofessur für Molekulare Biotechnologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Helge B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Bode
keywords: Cell biology; Genetics; Microbiology