RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Casaz, Paul A1 Garrity-Ryan, Lynne K. A1 McKenney, David A1 Jackson, Caroline A1 Levy, Stuart B. A1 Tanaka, S. Ken A1 Alekshun, Michael N.YR 2006 T1 MarA, SoxS and Rob function as virulence factors in an Escherichia coli murine model of ascending pyelonephritis JF Microbiology, VO 152 IS 12 SP 3643 OP 3650 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.2006/000604-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2080, AB MarA, SoxS and Rob are transcription factors belonging to the AraC family. While these proteins have been associated historically with control of multiple antibiotic resistance, and tolerance to oxidative stress agents and organic solvents, only a paucity of experimental data support a role in regulating virulence. Clinical Escherichia coli isolates, and isogenic strains lacking marA, soxS and rob, were studied in a murine model of ascending pyelonephritis, which is a clinically relevant model of urinary tract infection. Organisms lacking all three transcription factors (triple knockouts) were significantly less virulent than parental strains, and complementation studies demonstrated that the addition of marA, soxS and rob individually restored wild-type virulence in the triple-knockout strain. Deletion of soxS or rob alone was more detrimental than the removal of marA. Thus, all three proteins contribute to virulence in vivo., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.2006/000604-0