Influence of the phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system on toxin gene expression and virulence in Bacillus anthracis.

ABSTRACT: AtxA, the master virulence gene regulator of Bacillus anthracis, is a PRD-Containing Virulence Regulator (PCVR) as indicated by the crystal structure, post-translational modifications and activity of the protein. PCVRs are transcriptional regulators, named for PTS Regulatory Domains (PRDs) subject to phosphorylation by the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system (PEP-PTS) and for their impact on virulence gene expression. Here we present data from experiments employing physiological, genetic and biochemical approaches that support a model in which the PTS proteins HPr and Enzyme I (EI) are required for transcription of the atxA gene, rather than phosphorylation of AtxA. We show that atxA transcription is reduced 2.5-fold in a mutant lacking HPr and EI, and that this change is suffici

SUBMITTER: Bier N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8462991 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature