The global regulator CodY regulates toxin gene expression in Bacillus anthracis and is required for full virulence.

ABSTRACT: In gram-positive bacteria, CodY is an important regulator of genes whose expression changes upon nutrient limitation and acts as a repressor of virulence gene expression in some pathogenic species. Here, we report the role of CodY in Bacillus anthracis, the etiologic agent of anthrax. Disruption of codY completely abolished virulence in a toxinogenic, noncapsulated strain, indicating that the activity of CodY is required for full virulence of B. anthracis. Global transcriptome analysis of a codY mutant and the parental strain revealed extensive differences. These differences could reflect direct control for some genes, as suggested by the presence of CodY binding sequences in their promoter regions, or indirect effects via the CodY-dependent control of other regulatory proteins or metaboli

SUBMITTER: van Schaik W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2747959 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature