AEM
Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Derzelle, S.
Right arrow Articles by Bertin, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Derzelle, S.
Right arrow Articles by Bertin, P.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Derzelle, S.
Right arrow Articles by Bertin, P.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, August 2002, p. 3780-3789, Vol. 68, No. 8
0099-2240/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.68.8.3780-3789.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Identification, Characterization, and Regulation of a Cluster of Genes Involved in Carbapenem Biosynthesis in Photorhabdus luminescens

Sylviane Derzelle,1* Eric Duchaud,2 Frank Kunst,2 Antoine Danchin,1,3 and Philippe Bertin1,{dagger}

Unité de Génétique des Génomes Bactériens,1 Laboratoire de Génomique des Microorganismes Pathogènes, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France,2 HKU-Pasteur Research Centre, Pokfulam, Hong Kong3

Received 25 January 2002/ Accepted 29 May 2002

The luminescent entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens produces several yet-uncharacterized broad-spectrum antibiotics. We report the identification and characterization of a cluster of eight genes (named cpmA to cpmH) responsible for the production of a carbapenem-like antibiotic in strain TT01 of P. luminescens. The cpm cluster differs in several crucial aspects from other car operons. The level of cpm mRNA peaks during exponential phase and is regulated by a Rap/Hor homolog identified in the P. luminescens genome. Marker-exchange mutagenesis of this gene in the entomopathogen decreased antibiotic production. The luxS-like signaling mechanism of quorum sensing also plays a role in the regulation of the cpm operon. Indeed, luxS, which is involved in the production of a newly identified autoinducer, is responsible for repression of cpm gene expression at the end of the exponential growth phase. The importance of this carbapenem production in the ecology of P. luminescens is discussed.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Unité de Génétique des Génomes Bactériens, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France. Phone: 33 (0) 1 45 68 84 43. Fax: 33 (0) 1 45 68 89 48. E-mail: derzelle{at}pasteur.fr.

{dagger} Present address: Laboratory of Microbiology, SCK/CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, August 2002, p. 3780-3789, Vol. 68, No. 8
0099-2240/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.68.8.3780-3789.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:



Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
J. Bacteriol. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. Eukaryot. Cell All ASM Journals

Copyright © 2002 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.