Streptomyces development: imaging from outside in
Paul Dyson, Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, UK.
Streptomyces coelicolor is a model species to understand development in a complex prokaryote. We have used imaging to monitor changes to cell surface properties as the organism goes through its life-cycle. In addition, we have also focussed on developmentally regulated Dps proteins that contribute to changes in DNA compaction inside the cells during this life-cycle.
We have used imaging to monitor this compaction, changes in gene expression and protein localisation. In addition, DpsA and DpsC can self-assemble into protein nanoparticles. We have used imaging and protein engineering to investigate the functionality of the Dps protein tails in directing and stabilising the assembly process.
