Inactivation of DNA-binding response regulator Sak189 abrogates beta-antigen expression and affects virulence of Streptococcus agalactiae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Streptococcus agalactiae is able to colonize numerous tissues employing different mechanisms of gene regulation, particularly via two-component regulatory systems. These systems sense the environmental stimuli and regulate expression of the genes including virulence genes. Recently, the novel two-component regulatory system Sak188/Sak189 was identified. In S. agalactiae genome, it was adjacent to the bac gene encoding for beta-antigen, an important virulence factor.

Methodology/principal findings

In this study, the sak188 and sak189 genes were inactivated, and the functional role of Sak188/Sak189 two-component system in regulation of the beta-antigen expression was investigated. It was demonstrated that both transcription of bac gene and expression of encoded beta

SUBMITTER: Rozhdestvenskaya AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2856668 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature