title: The Listeria monocytogenes prfAP2 promoter is regulated by sigma B in a growth phase dependent manner.
abstract: Listeria monocytogenes prfA, encoding positive regulatory factor A, is transcribed from three promoters (prfAP1, prfAP2, and PplcA). The prfAP2 promoter was previously proposed to be sigma B (sigma(B))-dependent. This hypothesis was tested by creating prfA promoter-gus transcriptional fusions in both L. monocytogenes wild-type (wt) and DeltasigB backgrounds and then measuring (i) beta-glucuronidase (GUS) activities; (ii) gus mRNA transcript levels; and (iii) the presence or absence of GUS in cells by immunofluorescence staining. prfAP2-directed expression increased as the wt L. monocytogenes strain entered stationary phase, whereas prfAP2-directed expression was greatly reduced in the DeltasigB strain, confirming both growth phase- and sigma(B)-dependent transcription of prfAP2. We conclude that prfAP2 is directly regulated by sigma(B).
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Cornell University, 415 Stocking Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. ues3@cornell.edu
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nadon
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiedmann
authors.forename: Kathryn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Boor
mesh_terms: D019677:Artificial Gene Fusion; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D010454:Peptide Termination Factors; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010454:Peptide Termination Factors; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C079011:SigB protein, Bacteria; D012808:Sigma Factor; D015534:Trans-Activators; D005966:Glucuronidase