Regulation of lux Genes in Vibrio fischeri: Control of Symbiosis-Related Gene Expression System in a Marine Bacterium
Abstract
The lux genes of Vibrio fischeri encode the ability of this marine bacterium to produce light. V. fischeri occurs at high density in specialized light-emitting organs of certain marine fish, where the light produced is used by the fish. V. fischeri is also found in seawater, where it exists as a member of the bacterioplankton. In the planktonic habitat light-production is not useful and in fact V. fischeri possesses a genetic control mechanism which enables light production when the bacteria exist in the symbiotic state but does not allow synthesis of the light-emitting system when V. fischeri is in the planktonic habitat. This regulatory phenomenon is termed auto induction, and the aim of this research is to fully elucidate the mechanism of auto induction. Specific objectives of this research effort include a structure/function analysis of the sensory receptor; the LuxR protein, purification of the LuxR protein and development of a defined in vitro assay for studying lux gene transcription. Keywords: Maine bacteria; Symbiosis genes; Gene regulation; Auto induction; Luminescence; Chemical communication.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 04, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA214493
Entities
People
- Everett P. Greenberg
Organizations
- University of Iowa