Regulation of virulence gene expression in Shigella flexneri, a facultative intracellular pathogen.
Shigella flexneri and its close relatives are facultative intracellular pathogens of humans and are the etiological agents of bacillary dysentery. These bacteria secrete proteins that enable them to enter human epithelial cells via an elaborate and fascinating cell biology. This behaviour depends on a complicated regulon of virulence genes, whose expression is controlled in response to a multiplicity of environmental signals. This review describes and attempts to interpret these gene control mechanisms.
Dorman
C J
CJ
Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Republic of Ireland. cjdorman@tcd.ie
McKenna
S
S
Beloin
C
C
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D012763:Shigella flexneri / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence
D001427:Bacterial Toxins