Identification of a novel TetR-family transcription regulator, PsrA, and its involvement in Legionella pneumophila virulence
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Date
2014-08-18
Authors
Patel, Palak
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Abstract
Legionella pneumophila, an intracellular pathogen of protozoa, is well known for its dimorphic life cycle that alternates between the vegetative replicative form (RF) and highly infectious cyst-like form (CLF). To this date several virulence factors including LpRpoS, LpIHF, and the Dot/Icm secretion system have been found to be required for the survival of L. pneumophila in macrophage and protozoa. Here we have identified and characterised Lpg1967, an orthologue of Pseudomonas PsrA in L. pneumophila. PsrA (Lpg1967) was found to regulate the expression of previously known virulence factors such non-coding RNAs, RsmY/Z, RpoS, LpIHF, flagella and Dot/Icm Type IV secretion system. In addition, the ΔpsrA mutant strain was unable to establish Legionella-containing vacuole and thus displayed a severe growth defect in the U937 derived macrophage cell line. Thus, PsrA was found to play an important role in controlling the regulatory cascade governing virulence in L. pneumophila.
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Keywords
Legionella, PsrA, transcription factor, footprinting, DNA/protein interaction studies, molecular genetics