FlgN is required for flagellum-based motility by Bacillus subtilis.

The assembly of the bacterial flagellum is exquisitely controlled. Flagellar biosynthesis is underpinned by a specialized type III secretion system that allows export of proteins from the cytoplasm to the nascent structure. Bacillus subtilis regulates flagellar assembly using both conserved and species-specific mechanisms.

The protein tyrosine kinases EpsB and PtkA differentially affect biofilm formation in Bacillus subtilis.

The Gram-positive soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis is able to choose between motile and sessile lifestyles. The sessile way of life, also referred to as biofilm, depends on the formation of an extracellular polysaccharide matrix and some extracellular proteins. Moreover, a significant proportion of cells in a biofilm form spores.

Phosphorylated DegU manipulates cell fate differentiation in the Bacillus subtilis biofilm.

Cell differentiation is ubiquitous and facilitates division of labor and development. Bacteria are capable of multicellular behaviors that benefit the bacterial community as a whole. A striking example of bacterial differentiation occurs throughout the formation of a biofilm.

YuaB functions synergistically with the exopolysaccharide and TasA amyloid fibers to allow biofilm formation by Bacillus subtilis.

During biofilm formation by Bacillus subtilis, two extracellular matrix components are synthesized, namely, the TasA amyloid fibers and an exopolysaccharide. In addition, a small protein called YuaB has been shown to allow the biofilm to form. The regulatory protein DegU is known to initiate biofilm formation.

Post-translational control of Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation.

A biofilm is a complex community of cells enveloped in a self-produced polymeric matrix. Entry into a biofilm is exquisitely controlled at the level of transcription and in the Gram-positive organism Bacillus subtilis it requires the concerted efforts of three major transcription factors. Here, we demonstrate that in addition to transcriptional control, B.

A pivotal role for the response regulator DegU in controlling multicellular behaviour.

Bacteria control multicellular behavioural responses, including biofilm formation and swarming motility, by integrating environmental cues through a complex regulatory network. Heterogeneous gene expression within an otherwise isogenic cell population that allows for differentiation of cell fate is an intriguing phenomenon that adds to the complexity of multicellular behaviour. This review focuses on recent data about how DegU, a pleiotropic response regulator, co-ordinates multicellular behaviour in Bacillus subtilis.

DegU co-ordinates multicellular behaviour exhibited by Bacillus subtilis.

Unicellular organisms use a variety of mechanisms to co-ordinate activity within a community and accomplish complex multicellular processes. Because some of the processes that are exhibited by one species can be physiologically incompatible, it raises the question of how entry into these different pathways is regulated. In the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, genetic competence, swarming motility, biofilm formation, complex colony architecture and protease production are all regulated by the response regulator DegU.