Premium
Genetics and regulation of bacterial alginate production
Author(s) -
Hay Iain D.,
Wang Yajie,
Moradali Mohammed F.,
Rehman Zahid U.,
Rehm Bernd H. A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.12389
Subject(s) - biology , biofilm , virulence , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , cystic fibrosis , genetics
Summary A vast range of extracellular polysaccharides are produced by bacteria in order to adapt to and thrive in diverse environmental niches. Many of these polymers have attracted great attention due to their implication in biofilm formation, capsule formation, virulence, or for their potential medical and industrial uses. One important exopolysaccharide, alginate, is produced by various P seudomonas spp. and A zotobacter vinelandii . Alginate is of particular interest due to its role in the pathogenesis of P seudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients. Here, we will discuss the genetic organization and distribution of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of this significant polymer. The complex regulatory networks involved in the production of bacterial alginate will be reviewed, including transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational forms of regulation.