[Genetic mechanisms of Listeria monocytogenes virulence].
Current data on genetic determinants of virulence in Listeria monocytogenes and on factors affecting their expression are reviewed. The role of the PrfA protein, the only known transcriptional regulator that directly affects virulence gene expression and mechanisms responsible for the activity and/or concentration of this protein in the cell are considered. Detailed information of outer signals modulating the level of virulence factor expression is provided. Data that favor the involvement of autoregulatory processes in the expression of virulence genes are considered, and a model of regulation to explain these data is proposed.
Ermolaeva
S A
SA
Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, 123098 Russia. sveta@ermolaeva.msk.su
D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics*