Sigma factors are multi-domain subunits of bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) that play
critical roles in transcription initiation, including the recognition and opening of promoters as …

Bacteria live in a toxic world in which their competitors excrete hydrogen peroxide or
superoxide-generating redox-cycling compounds. They protect themselves by activating …

Low molecular weight (LMW) thiols function as thiol-redox buffers to maintain the reduced
state of the cytoplasm. The best studied LMW thiol is the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) …

Bacteria encounter reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a consequence of the aerobic life or
as an oxidative burst of activated neutrophils during infections. In addition, bacteria are …

Streptomycetes are highly metabolically gifted bacteria with the abilities to produce
bioproducts that have profound economic and societal importance. These bioproducts are …

To illuminate the evolution and mechanisms of actinobacterial complexity, we evaluate the
distribution and origins of known Streptomyces developmental genes and the …

Summary The WhiB‐like (Wbl) family of proteins are exclusively found in Actinobacteria.
Wbls have been shown to play key roles in virulence and antibiotic resistance in …

In most bacteria, zinc depletion is sensed by Zur, whereas the surplus is sensed by different
regulators to achieve zinc homeostasis. Here we present evidence that zinc-bound Zur not …

Highlights•Major themes shared by ECF sigma factors are highlighted.•The mechanisms of
promoter recognition are conserved among ECF sigma factors.•Most ECF sigmas are …

To survive hostile conditions, the bacterial pathogen M ycobacterium tuberculosis produces
millimolar concentrations of mycothiol as a redox buffer against oxidative stress. The …