ppGpp-dependent leuO expression in bacteria under stress

Despite the known potential transcription regulatory role of leuO gene product, LeuO, the condition when leuO expresses during bacterial growth cycle remains unclear. Mechanistically, leuO expression was shown to be part of promoter relay mechanism, however, the factor(s) responsible for the regulation of leuO expression is not known. Combining Northern and Western results, we demonstrate in the present communication that leuO expression is normally low and enhanced when bacteria are in transition from exponential growth to stationary phase. The stationary phase-associated leuO expression is ppGpp dependent and rpoS (sigma(s) factor) independent. (C) 2000 Academic Press.