The Azotobacter vinelandii response regulator AlgR is essential for cyst formation.

ABSTRACT: Azotobacter vinelandii produces the exopolysaccharide alginate, which is essential for the encystment process. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as in A. vinelandii, the sigmaE factor encoded by algU is required for transcription of algD, which encodes a key enzyme of the alginate biosynthetic pathway. The P. aeruginosa response regulator AlgR activates transcription of algD. fimS, located upstream algR, is proposed to encode the AlgR cognate sensor kinase. We have cloned and characterized the A. vinelandii algR gene; the deduced amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by this gene shows 79% identity with its P. aeruginosa homolog. Sequence analysis around the algR gene revealed the absence of a fimS homolog. Inactivation of A. vinelandii algR diminished alginate production by 50%, but

SUBMITTER: Nunez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC103542 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature