Fig. 1: TCS12, TCS13, and TCS17 are involved in comG promoter activity.

a ΔTCS mutants (Δ3–Δ17) were tested for involvement in the regulation of P_comG. Nef and its derivative ΔTCS carrying the P_comG-gfp reporter were grown in CS2 medium with shaking. The Y axis shows the increase in RFU/OD₆₀₀ values, which was calculated by subtracting the minimum GFP intensities from the maximum GFP intensities during 12–24 h of growth. Bars represent the mean of at least n = 3 independent experiments with error bars indicating SD. Gray dots represent independent experiments. ND: none detected. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple-comparison test. ^*P = 0.0127, ^**P = 0.0011, ^****P < 0.0001. b The population percentage expressing GFP was determined after 12–14 h of growth by fluorescent microscopy. TCS mutants were complemented by plasmids (pHY-12, pHY-13, and pHY-17), while the empty vector (pHY) was used as a control. At least 300 cells were counted in each independent experiment. Bars represent the mean of at least n = 4 independent experiments with error bars indicating SD. Gray dots represent independent experiments. ND: none detected. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple-comparison test. ^*P = 0.0348, ^***P = 0.0005, ^****P < 0.0001. Scale bars, 5 µm. c Schematic summary of the TCSs involved in P_comG regulation. TCS13 (green) and TCS17 (purple) are involved in the activation of P_comG, while TCS12 (orange) is involved in its suppression. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.