To accurately identify the genes and pathways involved in the initiation of the Myxococcus xanthus multicellular developmental program, we have previously reported a method of growing vegetative populations as biofilms within a controllable environment. Using a modified approach to remove up to ~90% rRNAs, we report a comprehensive transcriptional analysis of the M. xanthus developmental cycle while comparing it with the vegetative biofilms grown in rich and poor nutrients. This study identified 1522 differentially regulated genes distributed within eight clusters during development. It also provided a comprehensive overview of genes expressed during a nutrient-stress response, specific development time points, and during development initiation and regulation. We identified several differentially expressed genes involved in key central metabolic pathways suggesting their role in regulating myxobacterial development. Overall, this study will prove an important resource for myxobacterial researchers to delineate the regulatory and functional pathways responsible for development from those of the general nutrient stress response.

为了准确识别参与黄曲粘球菌多细胞发育程序启动的基因和途径，我们之前报道了一种在可控环境中将植物种群作为生物膜生长的方法。使用改进的方法去除高达 ~ 90% 的 rRNA，我们报告了对M. xanthus的全面转录分析发育周期，同时将其与营养丰富和贫乏的营养生物膜进行比较。这项研究确定了在发育过程中分布在八个簇中的 1522 个差异调节基因。它还全面概述了在营养应激反应、特定发育时间点以及发育启动和调节期间表达的基因。我们确定了几个参与关键中枢代谢途径的差异表达基因，表明它们在调节粘细菌发育中的作用。总体而言，这项研究将证明粘细菌研究人员从一般营养应激反应中描述负责发育的调节和功能途径的重要资源。