Hfq, a novel pleiotropic regulator of virulence-associated genes in Francisella tularensis.

ABSTRACT: Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious pathogen that infects animals and humans, causing tularemia. The ability to replicate within macrophages is central for virulence and relies on expression of genes located in the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), as well as expression of other genes. Regulation of FPI-encoded virulence gene expression in F. tularensis involves at least four regulatory proteins and is not fully understood. Here we studied the RNA-binding protein Hfq in F. tularensis and particularly the role that it plays as a global regulator of gene expression in stress tolerance and pathogenesis. We demonstrate that Hfq promotes resistance to several cellular stresses (including osmotic and membrane stresses). Furthermore, we show that Hfq is important for the ability o

SUBMITTER: Meibom KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2681744 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature