1887

Abstract

The virulence plasmid of the pathogenic actinomycete is essential for proliferation of this pathogen in macrophages and the development of disease. The pathogenicity island of this plasmid encodes a family of virulence-associated proteins (Vap), one of which (VapA) is a virulence factor. This paper describes the operon ( o-expressed ene), located upstream of the operon. Transcription of the operon gave rise to transcripts with a half-life similar to those determined for other virulence plasmid genes (1.8 min). Transcription started at a promoter similar to the promoter, and proceeded through an inefficient terminator into the downstream gene. In addition, is also transcribed from a promoter downstream of The and operons were coordinately regulated by temperature and pH in a synergistic manner. The latter parameter only affected transcription at higher growth temperatures, indicating that temperature is the dominant regulatory signal. Transcription of the operon increased 10-fold during the late exponential and stationary growth phases. Transcription was also upregulated during the initial hours following phagocytosis by phagocytic cells. In contrast to and , the gene is conserved in the porcine VapB-encoding plasmid, as well as in pathogenic mycobacteria. The coordinated regulation of and , transcription of following phagocytosis and conservation of in pathogenic mycobacteria indicate a role for and the genes in the virulence of .

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Research Stimulus Fund of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Award RSF 06-379)
  • Science Foundation Ireland (Award 02/IN.1/B203)
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2011-08-01
2024-03-28
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