Phenotypic plasticity: The role of a phosphatase family Rap in the genetic regulation of Bacilli

In the last two decades, an increasing number of bacterial species have been recognized that are able to generate a phenotypically diverse population that shares an identical genotype. This ability is dependent on a complex genetic regulatory network that includes cellular and environmental signals,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular microbiology 2023-07, Vol.120 (1), p.20-31
Main Authors: Gallegos‐Monterrosa, Ramses, Kovács, Ákos T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacilli
Bacillus
biofilm
Cell interactions
Cellular communication
differentiation
Genotypes
Heterogeneity
Peptides
phenotypic heterogeneity
Phenotypic plasticity
Phosphatase
Phosphorylation
Prophages
Rap phosphatase
Regulatory sequences
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In the last two decades, an increasing number of bacterial species have been recognized that are able to generate a phenotypically diverse population that shares an identical genotype. This ability is dependent on a complex genetic regulatory network that includes cellular and environmental signals, as well as stochastic elements. Among Bacilli, a broadly distributed family of Rap (Response‐regulator aspartyl phosphate) phosphatases is known to modulate the function of the main phenotypic heterogeneity regulators by controlling their phosphorylation. Even more, their related extracellular Phr (Phosphatase regulator) peptides function as signals, creating a cell–cell communication network that regulates the phenotypic development of the entire population. In this review, we examine the role that the Rap phosphatases and their Phr peptides play in the regulation of Bacillus subtilis phenotypic differentiation, and in other members of the Bacillus genus. We also highlight the contribution of these regulatory elements to the fitness of bacterial cells and mobile genetic elements, for example, prophages and conjugative vectors. Rap (Response‐regulator aspartyl phosphate) phosphatases are broadly distributed in Bacilli and modulate the function of phenotypic heterogeneity regulators by regulating their phosphorylation or directly inhibiting by binding to those. As a cell–cell communication network, extracellular Phr (Phosphatase regulator) peptides inhibit their corresponding Rap phosphatases. Here, we review the diversity of Rap‐Phr systems and the plethora of cellular differentiation that contribute to the fitness of bacteria.
ISSN:0950-382X
1365-2958
DOI:10.1111/mmi.15060