Open AccessThe response regulator LetA regulates the stationary‐phase stress response in Legionella pneumophila and is required for efficient infection of Acanthamoeba castellanii
Author(s) -
Lynch Damien,
Fieser Nicole,
Glöggler Karin,
ForsbachBirk Vera,
Marre Reinhard
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/s0378-1097(03)00050-8
Subject(s) - legionella pneumophila , rpos , regulator , mutant , biology , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , regulon , response regulator , infectivity , gene , bacteria , gene expression , virology , genetics , promoter , virus
In order to identify a potential regulator of virulence gene expression in Legionella pneumophila , the L. pneumophila homologue of the response regulator GacA, LetA, was identified and cloned, facilitating the generation of a L. pneumophila letA insertion mutant. The L. pneumophila letA insertion mutant was more sensitive to oxidative and acid stress than the wild‐type. The letA mutant exhibited reduced infectivity and was defective for intracellular growth within Acanthamoeba castellanii . Transcription of the rpoS and dotA genes was reduced in the letA mutant. Our data indicate that the response regulator LetA functions as a regulator of the stationary‐phase stress response in L. pneumophila and is required for efficient replication within A. castellanii .