A Dissection of the Functional Interactions of the Morphogenetic Protein BLDB of Streptomyces coelicolor

Abstract

𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘺𝘤𝘦𝘴 initiate a complex developmental program during their 5-day life cycle, consisting of aerial mycelium formation and antibiotic production. Several developmental genes are involved in regulating these events, one of which is 𝘣𝘭𝘥𝘉. I have complemented a 𝘣𝘭𝘥𝘉 null mutant, which demonstrated the loss of aerial mycelium formation and antibiotic production, restoring both characteristics. This demonstrated that 𝘣𝘭𝘥𝘉 is essential for 𝘚. 𝘤𝘰𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳 morphogenesis but not viability. Using a bacterial two hybrid system devised, I screened the 𝘚. 𝘤𝘰𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳 genome using BldB as "bait" for binding partners of BldB. The two most compelling candidates were bbpl, a homologue of UspA in 𝘌. 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘪, and bbp2, a homologue of SrmR in 𝘚. 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘴. Furthermore, I have investigated these interactions biochemically by affinity chromatography to further elucidate the details involved in these interactions. Preliminary results showed three protein bands obtained at approximately 68kDa, 55kDa and 35kDa, respectively.