Capturing the VirA/VirG TCS of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Two-component systems (TCS) regulate pathogenic commitment in many interactions and provide an opportunity for unique therapeutic intervention. The VirA/VirG TCS of Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediates inter-kingdom gene transfer in the development of host tumors and sets in motion the events that underlie the great success of this multi-host plant pathogen. Significant proof for the feasibility of interventions has now emerged with the discovery of a natural product that effectively "blinds" the pathogen to the host via inhibition of VirA/VirG signal transduction. Moreover, the emerging studies on the mechanism of signal perception have revealed general sites suitable for intervention of TCS signaling. Given the extensive functional homology, it should now be possible to transfer the models discovered for VirA/VirG broadly to other pathogenic interactions.
Lin
Yi-Han
YH
Center for Fundamental and Applied Molecular Evolution, Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Gao
Rong
R
Binns
Andrew N
AN
Lynn
David G
DG
D016960:Agrobacterium tumefaciens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015195:Drug Design; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins