1887

Abstract

Bacterial pathogens such as undergo major physiological changes when they infect their hosts, requiring the coordinated regulation of gene expression in response to the stresses encountered. Several environmental factors modify the expression of virulence genes. This report shows that the expression of (virulence gene encoding the cell-wall-associated protein A) is down-regulated by high osmolarity (1 M NaCl, 1 M KCl or 1 M sucrose) in the wild-type strain and upregulated by novobiocin (a DNA gyrase inhibitor that relaxes DNA). A allele corresponding to a double mutation in the B subunit of DNA gyrase relaxed DNA and consequently induced expression, confirming that expression is regulated by DNA topology. Furthermore, in the presence of novobiocin plus 1 M NaCl, a good correlation was observed between DNA supercoiling and expression. The ArlS–ArlR two-component system is involved in the expression of virulence genes such as . Presence of an deletion decreased the effect of DNA supercoiling modulators on expression, suggesting that active Arl proteins are necessary for the full effect of DNA gyrase inhibitors and high osmolarity on expression. Indeed, evidence is provided for a relationship between the deletion and topological changes in plasmid DNA.

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2004-11-01
2024-03-28
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