Mechanism of Gene Regulation by a Staphylococcus aureus Toxin.

ABSTRACT: The virulence of many bacterial pathogens, including the important human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, depends on the secretion of frequently large amounts of toxins. Toxin production involves the need for the bacteria to make physiological adjustments for energy conservation. While toxins are primarily targets of gene regulation, such changes may be accomplished by regulatory functions of the toxins themselves. However, mechanisms by which toxins regulate gene expression have remained poorly understood. We show here that the staphylococcal phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) toxins have gene regulatory functions that, in particular, include inducing expression of their own transport system by direct interference with a GntR-type repressor protein. This capacity was most pronounced in PSMs with

SUBMITTER: Joo HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5080381 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature