Previous studies have shown that EPS synthesis was affected in domesticated strains (Aguilar et al., 2007) and studies conducted with wild-type strains are usually conducted in
vitro using synthetic media that do not mimic environmental conditions. The role of EPS still requires future investigations, particularly with respect to the genetic expression underlying its properties and production in natural environments. This work was supported by grants NSF MCB 0137336 and USDA CREEST 2007. Support for students helping in the project was provided by the UPRH MARC program. Table S1. EPS produced by Bacillus subtilis according to their function. Please note: Wiley-Blackwell is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting materials supplied PS-341 research buy by the authors. Any queries (other than missing material) learn more should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. “
“The stationary phase-dependent regulatory protein (SdrP) from the extremely thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus HB8, a CRP/FNR family protein, is a transcription activator, whose expression increases in
the stationary phase of growth. SdrP positively regulates the expression of several genes involved in nutrient and energy supply, redox control, and nucleic acid metabolism. We found that sdrP mRNA showed an increased response to various environmental or chemical stresses in the logarithmic growth phase, the most effective stress being oxidative stress. From genome-wide expression pattern analysis using 306 DNA microarray datasets from 117 experimental conditions, eight new SdrP-regulated genes were identified among the genes whose expression was highly correlated with that of sdrP. The gene products included manganese
superoxide dismutase, catalase, and excinuclease ABC subunit B (UvrB), which plays a central role in the nucleotide excision repair of damaged DNA. Expression of these genes also tended to increase upon entry into stationary phase, as in the case O-methylated flavonoid of the previously identified SdrP-regulated genes. These results indicate that the main function of SdrP is in the oxidative stress response. Bacteria are exposed to various stresses in nature, including nutrient availability, osmolarity, redox, pH, temperature, antibiotic, and toxic heavy metal stresses. In order to adapt quickly and to survive an abrupt environmental change, bacteria have developed an environmental response system that controls the expression of various proteins for defense against various stresses, and repairs the damaged cellular components. Bacterial stress responses are mainly controlled at the transcription level, i.e., alternative σ factors and/or transcription factors are involved in the expression of stress response genes (Stock et al., 2000; Raivio & Silhavy, 2001; Helmann, 2002; Hengge-Aronis, 2002; Gruber & Gross, 2003; Marles-Wright & Lewis, 2007; Hengge, 2008).