TodK, a putative histidine protein kinase, regulates timing of fruiting body morphogenesis in Myxococcus xanthus.

ABSTRACT: In response to starvation, Myxococcus xanthus initiates a developmental program that results in the formation of spore-filled multicellular fruiting bodies. Fruiting body formation depends on the temporal and spatial coordination of aggregation and sporulation. These two processes are induced by the cell surface-associated C signal, with aggregation being induced after 6 h and sporulation being induced once cells have completed the aggregation process. We report the identification of TodK, a putative histidine protein kinase of two-component regulatory systems that is important for the correct timing of aggregation and sporulation. Loss of TodK function results in early aggregation and early, as well as increased levels of, sporulation. Transcription of todK decreases 10-fold in response t

SUBMITTER: Rasmussen AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC193762 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature