Synthesis of the spore envelope in the developmental life cycle of Streptomyces coelicolor

Int J Med Microbiol. 2015 Feb;305(2):183-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.12.014. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

Abstract

Members of the family of Streptomycetaceae, the main producer of antibiotics and other secondary metabolites, are Gram-positive multi-cellular soil bacteria with a complex life cycle. By apical tip extension Streptomyces coelicolor forms a multiply branching vegetative mycelium penetrating the substrate. Upon nutrient limitation, a hydrophobic aerial mycelium is erected, which eventually develops into a regular chain of spores that are able to survive detrimental environmental conditions. Morphological differentiation involves a switch in the peptidoglycan synthesizing machinery. Whereas apical tip extension is directed by the so-called polarisome, sporulation septation and synthesis of the thickened spore wall involves a multi-protein complex, which resembles the elongasome of rod-shaped bacteria. The Streptomyces spore wall synthesizing complex (SSSC) does not only direct synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer but is also involved in the incorporation of anionic spore wall glycopolymers, which contribute to the resistance of spores. The SSSC also contains eukaryotic type serine/threonine kinases which might control its activity by protein-phosphorylation.

Keywords: Differentiation; MreB; Peptidoglycan; Serine/threonine kinase; Wall teichoic acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Wall / chemistry
  • Cell Wall / metabolism*
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism
  • Peptidoglycan / analysis
  • Peptidoglycan / metabolism*
  • Spores, Bacterial / growth & development*
  • Spores, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Streptomyces coelicolor / growth & development*
  • Streptomyces coelicolor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Peptidoglycan