Cyclic di-GMP: a second messenger required for long-term survival, but not for biofilm formation, in Mycobacterium smegmatis

Kumar, Manish and Chatterji, Dipankar (2008) Cyclic di-GMP: a second messenger required for long-term survival, but not for biofilm formation, in Mycobacterium smegmatis. In: Microbiology, 154 (Part 1). pp. 2942-2955.

PDF full.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (536kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) plays an important role in bacterial adaptation to enable survival in changing environments. It orchestrates various pathways involved in biofilm formation, changes in the cell surface, host colonization and virulence. In this article, we report the presence of c-di-GMP in Mycobacterium smegmatis, and its role in the long-term survival of the organism. M. smegmatis has a single bifunctional protein with both GGDEF and EAL domains, which show diguanylate cyclase (DGC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE)-A activity, respectively, in vitro. We named this protein MSDGC-1. Deletion of the gene encoding MSDGC-1 did not affect growth and biofilm formation in M. smegmatis, but long-term survival under conditions of nutritional starvation was affected. Most of the proteins that contain GGDEF and EAL domains have been demonstrated to have either DGC or PDE-A activity. To gain further insight into the regulation of the protein, we cloned the individual domains, and tested their respective activities. MSDGC-1, the full-length protein, is required for activity, as its GGDEF and EAL domains are inactive when separated.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Microbiology
Publisher:	Society for General Microbiology
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Society for General Microbiology.
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Molecular Biophysics Unit
Date Deposited:	16 Mar 2009 11:20
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:53
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/16827

Actions (login required)

View Item