{
  "abstract": "Jeongeupia sacculi (HS-3) is a novel {beta}-proteobacterium with a unique multicellular life cycle. The genetic tractability and mechanisms underlying differentiation are unknown. Here, we adapt a method of homologous recombination for genetic modification in HS-3 and generate a disruption mutant of rpoS, which encodes the alternative sigma factor{sigma} S commonly associated with general stress response or major behavioral switches. We then characterize phenotypes associated with rpoS disruption. Under low-nutrient conditions, rpoS disruption reduced Congo red binding, consistent with rpoS acting as a regulator of low-nutrient response by upregulating production of biofilm-associated materials. Surprisingly, rpoS disruption did not significantly alter survival in response to other stressors in general stress response assays tested. Our work establishes a method for genetic manipulation in HS-3 and enables future investigation into the life cycle of HS-3, including whether rpoS has a role in differentiation triggered by low-nutrient response.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Georgia Institute of Technology"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Z. Beddingfield"
    },
    {
      "name": "I. K. Calimlim"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "B. K. Hammer"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a2jhm631br3my.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.09.758012",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.758012v1.full",
  "id": "a2jhm631br3my",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.758012v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "microbiology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1311|Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221458211",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.758012v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-09",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a2jhm631br3my.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:27:02Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.09.758012",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.758012v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:microbiology",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Establishing genetic tractability in Jeongeupia sacculi HS-3: disruption of rpoS hinders biofilm formation",
  "title_text": "Establishing genetic tractability in Jeongeupia sacculi HS-3: disruption of rpoS hinders biofilm formation",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:27:02Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/a2jhm631br3my",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}