Bistability and phase variation in Salmonella enterica

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2018Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Regulatory MechanismsAuthor(s): Lucía García-Pastor, Elena Puerta-Fernández, Josep CasadesúsAbstractCell-to-cell differences in bacterial gene expression can merely reflect the occurrence of noise. In certain cases, however, heterogeneous gene expression is a programmed event that results in bistable expression. If bistability is heritable, bacterial lineages are formed. When programmed bistability is reversible, the phenomenon is known as phase variation. In certain cases, bistability is controlled by genetic mechanisms (e. g., DNA rearrangement). In other cases, bistability has epigenetic origin. A robust epigenetic mechanism for the formation of bacterial lineages is the formation of heritable DNA methylation patterns. However, bistability can also arise upon propagation of gene expression patterns by feedback loops that are stable upon cell division. This review describes examples of bistability and phase variation in Salmonella enterica and discusses their adaptive value, sometimes in a speculative manner.

Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Gene Regulatory Mechanisms - July 5, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research