Molecular genetics of surfactin and its effects on different sub-populations of Bacillus subtilis

• Published in: Biotechnology reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Netherlands), 2021-12, Vol.32, p.e00686-e00686, Article e00686
• Main Authors: Rahman, Faisal Bin, Sarkar, Bishajit, Moni, Ripa, Rahman, Mohammad Shahedur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacillus subtilis; Cell differentiation; Review; srfA operon; Surfactin
• ISSN: 2215-017X; 2215-017X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2021.e00686

•Insight into the role of surfactin on B. subtilis cell differentiation.•Insight into the molecular genetics of surfactin and its production.•Graphical presentation of surfactin mediated signaling cascades via quorum sensing. Surfactin is a biosurfactant produced by Bacillus subtilis. The srfA operon, Sfp gene, and two quorum sensing systems are required for its production. The master regulator spo0A also plays an indispensable role in proper surfactin synthesis. Upon production, surfactin itself acts as a signaling molecule and triggers the activation of Spo0A gene which in turn regulates cell differentiation. Interestingly, surfactin producing cells are immune to the action of surfactin but trigger other cells to differentiate into non-motile cells, matrix producing cells, cannibals, and spores. In case of competent cell differentiation, comS, which resides within the srfA operon, is co-expressed along with surfactin and plays a vital role in competent cell differentiation in response to quorum sensing signal. Surfactin inhibits the motility of certain cell subpopulations, although it helps the non-motile cells to swarm. Thus, surfactin plays significant roles in the differentiation of different subpopulations of specialized cell types of B. subtilis.