Bacterial pathogens undergo profound physiological changes when they infect their host and require coordinated regulation of gene expression in response to the stress encountered during infection. In Bordetella pertussis, the human pathogen which causes whooping cough, virulence factors are synthesized in response to environmental signals under the control of the bvg regulatory locus. Here we demonstrate that the bvg locus is responsible for two events of gene activation. In the first step the bvg locus transactivates its own autoregulated promoter (P1) and the promoter of the adherence factor filamentous haemagglutinin (P(FHA)). The second step occurs several hours later and consists of the transactivation of adenylate cyclase and pertussis toxin genes. We provide evidence that the second step of transactivation requires overexpression of regulatory proteins. Our results imply that bacterial adhesion and tissue colonization-intoxication are two separate steps at the molecular level.

Scarlato V., Arico B., Prugnola A., Rappuoli R. (1991). Sequential activation and environmental regulation of virulence genes in Bordetella pertussis. EMBO JOURNAL, 10(12), 3971-3975 [10.1002/j.1460-2075.1991.tb04967.x].

Sequential activation and environmental regulation of virulence genes in Bordetella pertussis

Scarlato V.;
1991

Abstract

Bacterial pathogens undergo profound physiological changes when they infect their host and require coordinated regulation of gene expression in response to the stress encountered during infection. In Bordetella pertussis, the human pathogen which causes whooping cough, virulence factors are synthesized in response to environmental signals under the control of the bvg regulatory locus. Here we demonstrate that the bvg locus is responsible for two events of gene activation. In the first step the bvg locus transactivates its own autoregulated promoter (P1) and the promoter of the adherence factor filamentous haemagglutinin (P(FHA)). The second step occurs several hours later and consists of the transactivation of adenylate cyclase and pertussis toxin genes. We provide evidence that the second step of transactivation requires overexpression of regulatory proteins. Our results imply that bacterial adhesion and tissue colonization-intoxication are two separate steps at the molecular level.
1991
Scarlato V., Arico B., Prugnola A., Rappuoli R. (1991). Sequential activation and environmental regulation of virulence genes in Bordetella pertussis. EMBO JOURNAL, 10(12), 3971-3975 [10.1002/j.1460-2075.1991.tb04967.x].
Scarlato V.; Arico B.; Prugnola A.; Rappuoli R.
File in questo prodotto:
Eventuali allegati, non sono esposti

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/882582
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 46
  • Scopus 99
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 105
social impact