Junior Research Group Secondary Metabolism of Predatory Bacteria
 

Herpetosiphon sp., knob under a dissecting microscope.

Background
The genus Herpetosiphon constitutes a physiologically unique group of organisms within the phylum Chloroflexi. Endowed with gliding motility and an arsenal of digestive enzymes, Herpetosiphon is a saprophytic bacterium that facultatively preys on other microorganisms.(1) Its wolfpack behavior resembles the predatory strategy of the phylogenetically distinct Lysobacter, which use a sophisticated, yet largely unexplored system of intercellular communication to assemble a quorum of cells for the enzymatic degradation of their prey. Strikingly, Herpetosiphon and Lysobacter share the ability to produce structurally diverse antibiotics, and it has been assumed that they are involved in predation either by paralyzing potential prey or by suppressing the growth of competitors.(2,3) The finished genome of Herpetosiphon aurantiacus reflects the tremendous potential of these organisms for natural product assembly.(4) Though it is not yet clear whether the many biosynthetic genes have been acquired by means of lateral gene transfer, it is tempting to speculate that selection-driven pathway fixation contributed to this extraordinary versatility.

References
(1) Jurkevitch E (2007). Predatory Behaviors in Bacteria – Diversity and Transitions. Microbe 2: 67-73.
(2) Nett M, Erol Ö, Kehraus S, Köck M, Krick A, Eguereva E, Neu E, König GM (2006). Siphonazole, an Unusual Metabolite from Herpetosiphon sp. Angew Chem Int Ed 45: 3863-3867.
(3) Nett M, König GM (2007). The chemistry of gliding bacteria. Nat. Prod. Rep. 24: 1245-1261.
(4) Nett M, Bryant DA, König GM (2009), in preparation.