Streptomyces ghanaensis pleiotropic regulatory gene wblA(gh) influences morphogenesis and moenomycin production.

The wblA(gh) gene, encoding a homologue of the WhiB-family of proteins, was identified in the sequenced genome of moenomycin producer Streptomyces ghanaensis. Deletion of the gene blocked aerial mycelium sporulation and caused a 230% increase in moenomycins production. S. ghanaensis overexpressing SSFG-01620: a homologue of extracellular protease inhibitor SCO0762, whose expression in Streptomyces coelicolor is down-regulated by wblA: showed deficiencies in sporulation similar to that of wblA(gh) knockout strain. The wblA(gh) gene of S. ghanaensis appears to play a negative role in the control of moenomycin biosynthesis and is essential for sporulation. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011