Selection for in vivo regulators of bacterial virulence

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Jun 5;98(12):6889-94. doi: 10.1073/pnas.111581598.

Abstract

We devised a noninvasive genetic selection strategy to identify positive regulators of bacterial virulence genes during actual infection of an intact animal host. This strategy combines random mutagenesis with a switch-like reporter of transcription that confers antibiotic resistance in the off state and sensitivity in the on state. Application of this technology to the human intestinal pathogen Vibrio cholerae identified several regulators of cholera toxin and a central virulence gene regulator that are operative during infection. These regulators function in chemotaxis, signaling pathways, transport across the cell envelope, biosynthesis, and adherence. We show that phenotypes that appear genetically independent in cell culture become interrelated in the host milieu.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / pathogenicity*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Chemotaxis
  • Genes, Bacterial*
  • Genes, Regulator*
  • Mice
  • Movement
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • tcpN protein, Vibrio cholerae