The Brucella abortus virulence regulator, LovhK, is a sensor kinase in the general stress response signalling pathway.

ABSTRACT: In the intracellular pathogen Brucella abortus, the general stress response (GSR) signalling system determines survival under acute stress conditions in vitro, and is required for long-term residence in a mammalian host. To date, the identity of the Brucella sensor kinase(s) that function to perceive stress and directly activate GSR signalling have remained undefined. We demonstrate that the flavin-binding sensor histidine kinase, LovhK (bab2_0652), functions as a primary B. abortus GSR sensor. LovhK rapidly and specifically phosphorylates the central GSR regulator, PhyR, and activates transcription of a set of genes that closely overlaps the known B. abortus GSR regulon. Deletion of lovhK severely compromises cell survival under defined oxidative and acid stress conditions. We further sho

SUBMITTER: Kim HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4227936 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature