The role of RsmA in the regulation of swarming motility in Serratia marcescens
Journal
Journal of Biomedical Science
Journal Volume
8
Journal Issue
2
Pages
160-169
Date Issued
2001
Author(s)
Abstract
Swarming motility is a multicellular phenomenon comprising population migration across surfaces by specially differentiated cells. In Serratia marcescens, a network exists in which the flhDC flagellar regulatory master operon, temperature, nutrient status, and quorum sensing all contribute to the regulation of swarming motility. In this study, the rsmA (repressor of secondary metabolites) gene (hereafter rsmASm) was cloned from S. marcescens. The presence of multicopy, plasmid-encoded rsmASm expressed from its native promoter in S. marcescens inhibits swarming. Synthesis of N-acylhomoserine lactones, presumably by the product of smal (a luxl homolog isolated from S. marcescens), was also inhibited. Knockout of rsmASm on the S. marcescens chromosome shortens the time before swarming motility begins after inoculation to an agar surface. A single copy of the chromosomal PrsmASm
Type
journal article