[The Pho regulons of bacteria]

Abstract

Bacterial Pho regulons contain genes whose expression is regulated by a specific two-component signal transduction system. The products of these genes are involved in the transport and assimilation of inorganic phosphate. The paper summarizes data on the organization and function of Pho regulons in gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, with particular emphasis on the Pho regulons of the best studied bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.