Figure 8. Mtb WhiB3 regulates the expression of polyketide biosynthetic genes.

Total RNA was isolated from logarithmically grown cells of wt Mtb and MtbΔwhiB3 and the expression of PAT, DAT, SL-1 and PDIM biosynthetic genes was analyzed by real time PCR. Inset; the pathway describing the incorporation of a common precursor propionyl-CoA into PAT, DAT, SL-1, PDIM and TAG. RT-PCR data suggests that the repression of PAT, DAT and SL-1 biosynthetic genes in MtbΔwhiB3 results in the accumulation of propionyl CoA, which is then diverted to PDIM and TAG production.