Chloride, a new environmental signal molecule involved in gene regulation in a moderately halophilic bacterium, Halobacillus halophilus.

ABSTRACT: The gram-positive, aerobic, moderately halophilic bacterium Halobacillus halophilus is challenged in its environment by frequently changing salt (NaCl) concentrations. Recently, H. halophilus was shown to be the first prokaryote that is dependent on Cl(-) for growth. In a search for the biological function of Cl(-) in this prokaryote, we identified different Cl(-)-dependent processes, which suggests a more general role for Cl(-) in the metabolism of H. halophilus. To analyze the effect of Cl(-) in more detail, we concentrated on one model system, the Cl(-)-dependent production of flagella, and aimed to identify the molecular basis for the Cl(-) dependence of flagellum production. Here, we report that synthesis of the major subunit of the flagellum, FliC, is dependent on the Cl(-) concentra

SUBMITTER: Roessler M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC151943 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature