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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, August 2002, p. 3780-3789, Vol. 68, No. 8
0099-2240/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.68.8.3780-3789.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Identification, Characterization, and Regulation of a Cluster of Genes Involved in Carbapenem Biosynthesis in Photorhabdus luminescens

Sylviane Derzelle,1* Eric Duchaud,2 Frank Kunst,2 Antoine Danchin,1,3 and Philippe Bertin1,{dagger}

Unité de Génétique des Génomes Bactériens,1 Laboratoire de Génomique des Microorganismes Pathogènes, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France,2 HKU-Pasteur Research Centre, Pokfulam, Hong Kong3

Received 25 January 2002/ Accepted 29 May 2002

The luminescent entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens produces several yet-uncharacterized broad-spectrum antibiotics. We report the identification and characterization of a cluster of eight genes (named cpmA to cpmH) responsible for the production of a carbapenem-like antibiotic in strain TT01 of P. luminescens. The cpm cluster differs in several crucial aspects from other car operons. The level of cpm mRNA peaks during exponential phase and is regulated by a Rap/Hor homolog identified in the P. luminescens genome. Marker-exchange mutagenesis of this gene in the entomopathogen decreased antibiotic production. The luxS-like signaling mechanism of quorum sensing also plays a role in the regulation of the cpm operon. Indeed, luxS, which is involved in the production of a newly identified autoinducer, is responsible for repression of cpm gene expression at the end of the exponential growth phase. The importance of this carbapenem production in the ecology of P. luminescens is discussed.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Unité de Génétique des Génomes Bactériens, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France. Phone: 33 (0) 1 45 68 84 43. Fax: 33 (0) 1 45 68 89 48. E-mail: derzelle{at}pasteur.fr.

{dagger} Present address: Laboratory of Microbiology, SCK/CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, August 2002, p. 3780-3789, Vol. 68, No. 8
0099-2240/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.68.8.3780-3789.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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Copyright © 2002 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.