Regulation of lux Genes in Vibrio fischeri: Control of a 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.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 17, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA240833
Entities
People
- Everett P. Greenberg
Organizations
- University of Iowa