The RNA polymerase omega factor RpoZ is regulated by PhoP and has an important role in antibiotic biosynthesis and morphological differentiation in Streptomyces coelicolor.

ABSTRACT: The RNA polymerase (RNAP) omega factor (ω) forms a complex with the α₂ββ' core of this enzyme in bacteria. We have characterized the rpoZ gene of Streptomyces coelicolor, which encodes a small protein (90 amino acids) identified as the omega factor. Deletion of the rpoZ gene resulted in strains with a slightly reduced growth rate, although they were still able to sporulate. The biosynthesis of actinorhodin and, particularly, that of undecylprodigiosin were drastically reduced in the ΔrpoZ strain, suggesting that expression of these secondary metabolite biosynthetic genes is dependent upon the presence of RpoZ in the RNAP complex. Complementation of the ΔrpoZ mutant with the wild-type rpoZ allele restored both phenotype and antibiotic production. Interestingly, the rpoZ gene contains a PHO

SUBMITTER: Santos-Beneit F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3209170 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature