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Phenotypic plasticity: the role of a phosphatase family in the genetic regulation of Bacilli
  • Ákos T. Kovács,
  • Ramses Gallegos-Monterrosa
Ákos T. Kovács
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Corresponding Author:atkovacs@dtu.dk

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Ramses Gallegos-Monterrosa
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Instituto de Biotecnologia
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Abstract

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 quorum sensing 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 B. 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, e.g. prophages and conjugative vectors.
03 Jan 2023Submitted to Molecular Microbiology
05 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
05 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
06 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
24 Mar 20231st Revision Received
24 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
24 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
26 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Accept