How c-di-GMP controls progression through the Streptomyces life cycle

Members of the antibiotic-producing bacterial genus Streptomyces undergo a complex developmental life cycle that culminates in the production of spores. Central to control of this cell differentiation process is signaling through the second messenger 3′, 5′-cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP). So far, three proteins that are directly controlled by c-di-GMP in Streptomyces have been functionally and structurally characterized: the key developmental regulators BldD and σ^WhiG, and the glycogen-degrading enzyme GlgX. c-di-GMP signals through BldD and σ^WhiG, respectively, to control the two most dramatic transitions of the Streptomyces life cycle, the formation of the reproductive aerial hyphae and their differentiation into spore chains. Later in development, c-di-GMP activates GlgX-mediated degradation of glycogen, releasing stored carbon for spore maturation.