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Major gene‐regulatory mechanisms operating in ribosomally synthesized and post‐translationally modified peptide (RiPP) biosynthesis
Author(s) -
Bartholomae Maike,
Buivydas Andrius,
Viel Jakob H.,
MontalbánLópez Manuel,
Kuipers Oscar P.
Publication year - 2017
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/mmi.13764
Subject(s) - biology , operon , biosynthesis , niche , gene , computational biology , population , peptide , peptide biosynthesis , regulation of gene expression , biochemistry , rna , escherichia coli , ribosome , demography , sociology
Summary Post‐translationally modified peptides commonly display antimicrobial activity, but can also aid the development of bacterial colonies, giving a competitive advantage in the ecological niche. The production of post‐translationally modified peptides by bacteria is a complex and energetically costly process that is strictly orchestrated in the cell. The onset of peptide production is linked to the different enzymes that take part during maturation, the transporters and the immunity determinants (if required). Thus, the population can make optimal use of available resources and obtain the benefits of production at an advantageous moment during growth, avoiding toxicity to itself. The timing and level of expression of the different operons is controlled by diverse (complex) regulatory pathways in response to environmental changes, stress or master regulators during specific growth transition phases. In this review, we highlight the basic principles and mechanisms of regulation of expression of post‐translationally modified peptides and the relationship with the overall culture developmental processes and/or cellular differentiation. We also discuss the biotechnological consequences derived from the understanding of regulatory networks involved in the biosynthesis of these natural products.