Gene Duplication in Streptomyces and Its Role in Development
Author Information
Author(s): Clark Laura C., Hoskisson Paul A.
Primary Institution: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
The duplication of the devA-like genes in Streptomyces coelicolor has led to distinct developmental roles for each gene.
Conclusion
The study shows that the duplicated genes devA and devE have diverged in function and regulation, contributing to the complexity of Streptomyces development.
Supporting Evidence
- DevA and DevE are essential for correct development in Streptomyces coelicolor.
- Disruption of devA leads to short, mis-septate aerial hyphae, while disruption of devE results in long un-septate aerial hyphae.
- Transcriptional analysis shows that devA and devE are expressed at different stages of the lifecycle.
Takeaway
Scientists studied two genes in a type of bacteria that help it grow and develop. They found that when these genes duplicated, they started doing different jobs, which helped the bacteria become more complex.
Methodology
The study involved creating mutants of the devA and devE genes and analyzing their effects on the development of Streptomyces coelicolor.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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