Ultrasensitive Response of Developing Myxococcus xanthus to the Addition of Nutrient Medium Correlates with the Level of MrpC.

ABSTRACT: Upon depletion of nutrients, Myxococcus xanthus forms mounds on a solid surface. The differentiation of rod-shaped cells into stress-resistant spores within mounds creates mature fruiting bodies. The developmental process can be perturbed by the addition of nutrient medium before the critical period of commitment to spore formation. The response was investigated by adding a 2-fold dilution series of nutrient medium to starving cells. An ultrasensitive response was observed, as indicated by a steep increase in the spore number after the addition of 12.5% versus 25% nutrient medium. The level of MrpC, which is a key transcription factor in the gene regulatory network, correlated with the spore number after nutrient medium addition. The MrpC level decreased markedly by 3 h after adding nutrie

SUBMITTER: Hoang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6199472 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature