YhjC is a novel transcriptional regulator required for Shigella flexneri virulence.

ABSTRACT: Shigella is an intracellular pathogen that primarily infects the human colon and causes shigellosis. Shigella virulence relies largely on the type III secretion system (T3SS) and secreted effectors. VirF, the master Shigella virulence regulator, is essential for the expression of T3SS-related genes. In this study, we found that YhjC, a LysR-type transcriptional regulator, is required for Shigella virulence through activating the transcription of virF. Pathogenicity of the yhjC mutant, including colonization in the colons of guinea pigs as well as its ability for host cell adhesion and invasion, was significantly lowered. Expression levels of virF and nearly all VirF-dependent genes were downregulated by yhjC deletion, indicating that

SUBMITTER: Li W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8218686 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature