Premium
Spatial expression and autoregulation of hetR , a gene involved in the control of heterocyst development in Anabaena
Author(s) -
Black Todd A.,
Cai Yuping,
Wolk C. Peter
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1993.tb01670.x
Subject(s) - biology , heterocyst , anabaena , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , regulation of gene expression , gene expression , genetics , cyanobacteria , bacteria
Summary The spatially patterned differentiation of hetero‐cysts in the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena requires a functional hetR gene. Transcriptional fusions to luxAB show that hetR is transcribed at a low level throughout the filament when Anabaena is grown with combined nitrogen, and that induction of the gene begins within 2 h following nitrogen deprivation. By 3.5 h, induction is localized to spaced foci. By 6h, there is an overall induction of at least threefold in whole cultures, reflecting at least a 20‐fold increase within spatially separated cells. The induction requires the presence of a functional hetR gene, indicating that hetR is autoregulatory. Full induction of a heterocyst structural gene, hepA , also requires a functional hetR locus.