Open AccessThe master transcription factor Spo0A is required for poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) accumulation and expression of genes involved in PHB biosynthesis in Bacillus thuringiensis
Author(s) -
Chen HuiJu,
Tsai TengKuan,
Pan ShihChuan,
Lin JerSheng,
Tseng ChiLing,
Shaw GwoChyuan
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2009.01888.x
Subject(s) - bacillus thuringiensis , complementation , gene , transcription factor , bacillus subtilis , biosynthesis , biology , transcription (linguistics) , biochemistry , regulator , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , mutant , genetics , linguistics , philosophy
Bacillus thuringiensis is a gram‐positive spore‐forming bacterium that can accumulate poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) as a carbon and energy storage substance in response to nutritional stress. The regulatory mechanism for PHB biosynthesis in B. thuringiensis and diverse Bacillus species is still poorly understood. We now report that disruption of the sigH gene or the gene encoding the master sporulation transcription factor Spo0A severely impaired PHB accumulation in B. thuringiensis . Complementation of the spo0A mutation with the spo0A gene restored PHB accumulation. We have found that the requirement of Spo0A for PHB accumulation is independent of the transition state regulator AbrB and of loss of sporulation ability. We also show that Spo0A is required for the expression of three genes involved in PHB biosynthesis. These findings have uncovered a new role of Spo0A in the regulation of stationary‐phase‐associated cellular events.