title: Post-transcriptional regulation of type III secretion in plant and animal pathogens.
abstract: Type III secretion systems (T3SS) serve as a primary anti-host defense mechanism for many Gram-negative plant and animal pathogens. T3SS production is tightly controlled and activated by host-associated signals. Although transcriptional responses represent a significant component of the activation cascade, recent studies have uncovered diverse post-transcriptional mechanisms that also contribute to T3SS production. Targets for post-transcriptional control are often AraC/XylS transcription factors that promote T3SS gene expression. Commons mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation include direct control of either the activity of AraC/XylS transcription factors by protein ligands, small molecules, or post-translational modification, or transcription factor synthesis. In the latter case, RNA-binding proteins such as Hfq, CsrA/RsmA, and components of the RNA degradosome alter mRNA stability and/or the rate of translation initiation to control transcription factor synthesis. Here we summarize post-transcriptional mechanisms that contribute to the exquisite regulation of T3SS gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, United States.
authors.forename: Kayley H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Schulmeyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, United States. Electronic address: tim-yahr@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Timothy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Yahr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D020871:RNA Stability; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000069296:Type III Secretion Systems / Q000235:genetics*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000069296:Type III Secretion Systems; D037521:Virulence Factors