Open AccessThe Bvg accessory factor (Baf) enhances pertussis toxin expression in Escherichia coli and is essential for Bordetella pertussis viability
Author(s) -
Wood Gwendolyn E,
Friedman Richard L
Publication year - 2000
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 - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb09397.x
Subject(s) - bordetella pertussis , pertussis toxin , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , lac operon , bordetella , gene , bacteria , genetics , signal transduction , g protein
Pertussis toxin expression in the Gram‐negative respiratory pathogen, Bordetella pertussis , is regulated by the BvgAS two‐component system. Previous studies suggested that an additional gene encoding a Bvg accessory factor (Baf) was required, along with BvgAS, for expression of a ptx‐lacZ fusion in Escherichia coli grown in rich medium. However, other studies showed that BvgAS is sufficient for ptx‐lacZ expression in minimal medium. Here we show that Baf acts with BvgAS to further increase ptx‐lacZ expression in E. coli grown in minimal media and this is concomitant with a two‐fold increase in BvgA protein levels. Gene replacement experiments show that baf is essential for viability of B. pertussis , suggesting that Baf affects the expression of other genes in addition to ptx .