Abstract
Minor Cause--Major Effect: A Novel Mode of Control of Bistable Gene Expression.
Highlights
Gamba et al [5] have used transposon mutagenesis to identify a novel player in bistable expression of competence genes
They expressed the comK gene under the control of a promoter that is exclusively controlled by ComK in a strain unable to degrade the ComK protein. Even this minimal expression system for ComK still allows bistable expression of ComK and of genetic competence [10]. Transposon mutagenesis of this strain and a screen for mutants with high competence promoter activity and expression of competence genes in the majority of cells resulted in the identification of Kre (ComK repressor), a novel factor in the control of bistable gene expression
In a set of elegant experiments, the authors demonstrate that the loss of Kre results in overexpression of ComK, uniform expression of competence genes, and increased genetic competence
Summary
In this issue of PLOS Genetics, Gamba et al [5] have identified yet another feedback loop that controls bistable expression of competence genes in B. subtilis. The best-studied examples of bistable gene expression are: the entry to sporulation, the development of genetic competence, and the choice between motility and biofilm formation; all in B. subtilis. Gamba et al [5] have used transposon mutagenesis to identify a novel player in bistable expression of competence genes.
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