Polynucleotide phosphorylase is a global regulator of virulence and persistency in Salmonella enterica.

ABSTRACT: For many pathogens, the ability to regulate their replication in host cells is a key element in establishing persistency. Here, we identified a single point mutation in the gene for polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) as a factor affecting bacterial invasion and intracellular replication, and which determines the alternation between acute or persistent infection in a mouse model for Salmonella enterica infection. In parallel, with microarray analysis, PNPase was found to affect the mRNA levels of a subset of virulence genes, in particular those contained in Salmonella pathogenicity islands 1 and 2. The results demonstrate a connection between PNPase and Salmonella virulence and show that alterations in PNPase activity could represent a strategy for the establishment of persistency.

SUBMITTER: Clements MO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC124376 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature