Macrophage replication screen identifies a novel Francisella hydroperoxide resistance protein involved in virulence.

ABSTRACT: Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. Recently, genome-wide screens have identified Francisella genes required for virulence in mice. However, the mechanisms by which most of the corresponding proteins contribute to pathogenesis are still largely unknown. To further elucidate the roles of these virulence determinants in Francisella pathogenesis, we tested whether each gene was required for replication of the model pathogen F. novicida within macrophages, an important virulence trait. Fifty-three of the 224 genes tested were involved in intracellular replication, including many of those within the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), validating our results. Interestingly, over one third of the genes identified a

SUBMITTER: Llewellyn AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3167825 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature