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. 2001 Dec;183(23):6733-9.
doi: 10.1128/JB.183.23.6733-6739.2001.

Analyses of mrp genes during Myxococcus xanthus development

H Sun  1 , W Shi
Affiliations

Analyses of mrp genes during Myxococcus xanthus development

H Sun et al. J Bacteriol. 2001 Dec.

Abstract

Myxococcus xanthus is a gram-negative soil bacterium that undergoes development under starvation conditions. Our previous study identified a new genetic locus, mrp, which is required for both fruiting body formation and sporulation. The locus encodes two transcripts: mrpAB, which consists of a histidine kinase and an NtrC-like response regulator, and mrpC, a cyclic AMP receptor protein family transcription activator. In this study, we used genetic and biochemical analyses to investigate the possible interactions between the mrp genes and other known developmental genes and events. These studies show that the mrp genes possibly function after A-signaling and (p)ppGpp but before C-signaling and that they regulate various early and late developmental genes and events.

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Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
Effect of ΔrelA on mrp expression. M. xanthus cells were placed on MOPS starvation plates and incubated at 32°C. The cells were harvested at different time points, and β-galactosidase activity was measured. Each experiment was repeated at least twice, and one set of results is shown. Circles, mrp expression in wild-type background. Triangles, mrp expression in ΔrelA background.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
Effect of asgA and csgA on mrp expression. M. xanthus cells were placed on MOPS starvation plates and incubated at 32°C. The cells were harvested at different time points, and β-galactosidase activity was measured. Each experiment was repeated at least twice, and one set of results is shown. Circles, expression in wild-type background. Squares, expression in the asgA mutant. Triangles, expression in the csgA mutant.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
C-signal production (A), protein S production (B), and FrzCD methylation (C) during development in the wild type (wt) and the mrp mutants. (A and B) Cells were allowed to develop in submerged culture or on MOPS agar for various times, collected, and prepared for SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Protein concentration was determined for each sample using the Bradford assay, and equal amounts of protein were loaded into each lane. The blot was probed with anti-CsgA antibody (A) or anti-protein S antibody (B). Lane M, size markers. (C) Cells were collected at different time during development in submerged cultures, lysed, and prepared for SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The blot was probed with anti-FrzCD antibody. The upper band is unmethylated FrzCD, and the lower band is methylated FrzCD.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
Effect of mrp on Tn5lac marker expression: Ω4491, Ω4408 (sdeK), Ω4521, Ω4531, Ω4414 (devR), and Ω4500. M. xanthus cells were placed on MOPS starvation plates and incubated at 32°C. The cells were harvested at different time points, and β-galactosidase activity was measured. Each experiment was repeated at least twice, and one set of results is shown. Circles, expression in wild-type background. Squares, expression in the ΔmrpAB mutant. Triangles, expression in the ΔmrpC mutant.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5
Timing of mrpABC action in M. xanthus development.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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