Transcriptional regulator which is part of the latency-replication switch system that decides at the onset of infection whether to replicate and lyse the host or to lysogenize (latency) and keep the host viable. Activates the transcription of the aimX locus. Transcriptional activation of aimX seems to lead to the productive viral replication (lytic cycle), aimX possibly acting as a regulatory non-coding RNA. Homodimer. Interacts with the viral arbitrium peptide, this interaction changes the oligomeric state of AimR from an active dimer to an inactive monomer leading to lysogeny. Knockdown results in decreased AimX transcription and increased lysogeny. Between you and me - Issue 190 of April 2017