DEVELOPMENTALLY-REGULATED PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS DURING INTRAPERIPLASMIC GROWTH OF BDELLOVIBRIO-BACTERIOVORUS 109J

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J is an obligate intraperiplasmic predat or of other Gram-negative bacteria. Collision with a suitable prey cel l initiates a developmental sequence ultimately resulting in the destr uction of the prey cell and the production of progeny bdellovibrios. T wo-dimensional gel analysis of patterns of protein synthesis at variou s times in a synchronously growing culture of Bdellovibrio bacteriovor us 109J revealed over 30 polypeptides whose syntheses are developmenta lly regulated. The majority of these polypeptides fall into nine categ ories: attack phase specific or one of eight different kinetic groups expressed during the intraperiplasmic growth phase. The results indica te that Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J has a complex system for regul ating gene expression during its developmental cycle.