Molecular basis for control of conjugation by bacterial pheromone and inhibitor peptides.

ABSTRACT: In many bacteria expression of lateral gene transfer and of virulence factors is controlled by cell-cell signalling systems. Molecular interactions of microbial signal molecules with their cognate receptors are not well understood. For the Enterococcus faecalis conjugative plasmid pCF10, the PrgX protein serves as a molecular switch controlling expression of conjugation and virulence genes encoded by the plasmid. The induction state of a pCF10-carrying donor cell is determined by the ratio of two signalling peptides, cCF10 pheromone and iCF10 inhibitor. Recent analysis of PrgX/cCF10 interactions suggests a mechanism for conversion to the induced state. However, the means by which iCF10 peptide antagonizes cCF10 activity is unclear, and it has been suggested that inhibitor peptides block im

SUBMITTER: Kozlowicz BK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2655123 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature