Classification and functional characterization of extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors from planctomycetes and actinobacteria

Bacteria necessitate multiple signal transduction systems to sense the ever-changing environments and mediate the cellular response accordingly. The major bacterial signal transduction systems are one-component system (1CS), two-component system (2CS) and extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor. Compared to 1CSs and 2CSs, ECF σ factors have only been identified much later and therefore the knowledge about their molecular mechanisms and physiological roles is less profound. This thesis mainly focuses on the study of ECF σ factors from the bacterial phyla, Planctomycetes and Actinobacteria.