A novel adaptation of aldolase regulates virulence in Streptococcus pyogenes

Regulation of virulence factor expression is critical for pathogenic microorganisms that must sense and adapt to a dynamic host environment; yet, the signal transduction pathways that enable this process are generally poorly understood. Here, we identify LacD.1 as a global regulator of virulence fac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The EMBO journal 2006-11, Vol.25 (22), p.5414-5422
Main Authors: Loughman, Jennifer A, Caparon, Michael G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aldehyde-Lyases - genetics
Aldehyde-Lyases - metabolism
aldolase
Bacteria
Bacterial Proteins - metabolism
DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism
EMBO23
EMBO37
Enzymatic activity
Enzymes
Exotoxins - metabolism
Gene expression
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
LacD
Metabolism
Microbiology
Microorganisms
Mutation
Nutritional status
Pathogens
regulation
Repressor Proteins - metabolism
Signal Transduction
Sodium Chloride - metabolism
SpeB
Streptococcus
Streptococcus infections
Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus pyogenes - enzymology
Streptococcus pyogenes - pathogenicity
Streptococcus pyogenes - physiology
Substrate Specificity
Substrates
Virulence
Virulence Factors - biosynthesis
Virulence Factors - genetics
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Summary:Regulation of virulence factor expression is critical for pathogenic microorganisms that must sense and adapt to a dynamic host environment; yet, the signal transduction pathways that enable this process are generally poorly understood. Here, we identify LacD.1 as a global regulator of virulence factor expression in the versatile human pathogen, Streptococcus pyogenes . LacD.1 is derived from a class I tagatose‐1,6‐bisphosphate aldolase homologous to those involved in lactose and galactose metabolism in related prokaryotes. However, regulation of transcription by LacD.1 is not dependent on this enzymatic activity or the canonical catabolite repression pathway, but likely does require substrate recognition. Our results suggest that LacD.1 has been adapted as a metabolic sensor, and raise the possibility that regulation of gene expression by metabolic enzymes may be a novel mechanism by which Gram‐positive bacteria, including S. pyogenes , coordinate multiple environmental cues, allowing essential transcription programs to be coupled with perceived nutritional status.
ISSN:0261-4189
1460-2075
DOI:10.1038/sj.emboj.7601393