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Cyclic di-GMP prevents sporulation in Streptomyces bacteria

Streptomyces bacteria are our primary source of antibiotics, which are produced in the transition from vegetative growth to sporulation in a complex developmental life cycle.

Previous research by Professor Mark Buttner’s lab at the John Innes Centre has shown that the signalling molecule c-di-GMP binds BldD, a master repressor of gene activity, to control the initiation of development in these soil-dwelling bacteria.

c-di-GMP is an example of a nucleotide second messenger, an intracellular signal widespread in bacteria responsible for regulating crucial processes, including mobility, virulence and biofilm formation.

In a new study, experiments using the model species Streptomyces venezuelae show that c-di-GMP also intervenes later in development to control the differentiation of the reproductive hyphae into spores.

The proteins that maintain formicamycin biosynthesis fidelity

Formicamycins are a set of antibiotics produced by the bacteria Streptomyces formicae that have shown useful activity against antibiotic resistant strains of the pathogenic bacteria Staphyloccus aureus.

Microbiology Society Outreach Prize awarded to Matt Hutchings

PROFESSOR MATT HUTCHINGS WINS THE 2019 MICROBIOLOGY OUTREACH PRIZE

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