Control of Listeria monocytogenes virulence by 5'-untranslated RNA.

Journal article

The Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes uses a wide range of virulence factors for its pathogenesis. Expression of five of these factors has previously been shown to be subjected to post-transcriptional regulation as a result of their long 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). We have investigated the presence of 5'-UTRs among the other known virulence genes and genes that encode putatively virulence-associated surface proteins. Our results strongly suggest that L. monocytogenes controls many of its virulence genes by a mechanism that involves the 5'-UTR. These findings further emphasize the importance of post-transcriptional control for L. monocytogenes virulence.

Authors: Loh, E; Gripenland, J; Johansson, J

• Journal: Trends in microbiology
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 294-298
• Publication date: 2006-07-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2006.05.001
• EISSN: 1878-4380
• ISSN: 0966-842X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Membrane Proteins; Genes, Bacterial; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Virulence Factors; Listeria monocytogenes; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; 5' Untranslated Regions; Models, Biological