Authors: Veronica Donato
B. subtilis is a master of differentiation as it has the ability to display a multitude of distinct cell types. The advantage of a heterogeneous population in the bacterial community can be easily postulated for a better adaptation to unexpected environmental fluctuations. The maintenance of different cell types allows for simultaneous expression of different metabolic pathways with a minimal cost of energy; the division of labor also permits the high optimization of resources. This cooperative community is under the control of the regulatory protein, Spo0A, which governs spore formation, biofilm formation, motility, cannibalism and is also required for competence and lipid synthesis. Here, I revisit all the processes that are under the control of this master regulator.
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