Intrinsic curvature associated with the coordinately regulated anthrax toxin gene promoters.

ABSTRACT: The current model for virulence gene regulation in Bacillus anthracis involves several trans-acting factors, the most important of which appears to be the anthrax toxin activator encoded by the atxA gene. AtxA is a positive regulator of the toxin genes pagA, cya and lef, and of a number of other plasmid- and chromosome-encoded genes. The AtxA protein (56 kDa) possesses a predicted winged-helix DNA-binding domain and phosphotransferase system-regulated domains, but the mechanism for positive regulation of AtxA target genes is not known. Sequence similarities in the promoter regions of AtxA-regulated genes are not apparent, and recombinant AtxA binds DNA with a high affinity in a non-specific manner. We hypothesized that the toxin genes possess common structural features or cis-acting elemen

SUBMITTER: Hadjifrangiskou M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4225132 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature