Temperature-regulated expression of bacterial virulence genes.
Virulence gene expression in most bacteria is a highly regulated phenomenon, affected by a variety of parameters including osmolarity, pH, ion concentration, iron levels, growth phase, and population density. Virulence genes are also regulated by temperature, which acts as an 'on-off' switch in a manner distinct from the more general heat-shock response. Here, we review temperature-responsive expression of virulence genes in four diverse pathogens.
Konkel
M E
ME
School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA.
Tilly
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D012760:Shigella / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013696:Temperature; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics; D015007:Yersinia / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity