1887

Abstract

The regulator VicR of the two-component regulatory system VicRK is essential in several Gram-positive bacteria. However, the authors were able to generate an unconditional insertional mutant of group A . This mutant grew well in rich media but not in non-immune human blood and serum, had attenuated virulence, and was unstable in mice. Complementation of the mutant with expressed restored its phenotype to wild-type. A deletion mutant had a phenotype similar to that of the mutant. Phagocytosis and killing of the mutant were normal, suggesting that VicRK does not regulate processes involved in evasion of host defence. Microarray analysis showed that inactivation down-regulated the transcription of 13 genes, including putative cell wall hydrolase gene and , which encode a putative phosphotransferase system enzyme II for carbohydrate transport, and upregulated the expression of five genes, including and , which encode an osmoprotectant transporter OpuA. Consistent with microarray analysis, the mutant took up more of the osmoprotectants betaine and proline and was sensitive to osmotic stress, indicating that inactivation induced osmotic stress and increased susceptibility to osmotic pressure. Additionally, a deletion mutant also displayed attenuated virulence. These results suggest that VicRK regulates processes involved in cell wall metabolism, nutrient uptake, and osmotic protection.

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2006-04-01
2024-03-28
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