Regulation of luminescence by cyclic AMP in cya-like and crp-like mutants of Vibrio fischeri

Mutants of Vibrio fischeri MJ-1 (wild type) apparently deficient in adenylate cyclase (cya-like) or cyclic AMP receptor protein (crp-like) were isolated and characterized. Compared with MJ-1, the mutants produced low levels of luminescence and luciferase. Addition of cyclic AMP restored wild-type levels of luminescence and luciferase in the cya-like mutant but not in the crp-like mutant. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that in V. fischeri cyclic AMP and cyclic AMP receptor protein are required for induction of the luminescence system.