Open AccessInvestigation of the role of ZurR in the physiology and pathogenesis of L isteria monocytogenes
Author(s) -
Dowd Georgina C.,
Casey Pat G.,
Begley Maire,
Hill Colin,
Gahan Cormac G.M.
Publication year - 2012
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.1574-6968.2011.02472.x
Subject(s) - listeria monocytogenes , mutant , biology , virulence , pathogen , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , phenotype , listeria , human pathogen , regulator , bacteria , genetics
L isteria monocytogenes is a G ram positive pathogen that is ubiquitous in the environment. It is a facultative anaerobic rod that causes listeriosis, a disease with potentially lethal consequences for susceptible individuals. During infection, the pathogen is capable of sequestering metal ions to act as vital biocatalysts in cellular processes. The zinc uptake regulator ( ZurR ) is predicted to coordinate uptake of zinc from the external environment. An in‐frame deletion of the zurR gene resulted in a mutant exhibiting a small colony phenotype and a smaller cell size. The zurR mutant was unaffected under conditions of zinc limitation but demonstrated increased sensitivity to toxic levels of zinc. The mutant also demonstrated a significant (1‐log) reduction in virulence potential in the murine model of infection. Using a bioinformatic approach, we identified a number of potentially Zur ‐regulated genes in the genome of L . monocytogenes . Quantitative RT ‐ PCR demonstrated significant de‐repression of zurA , lmo0153 , and lmo1671 in the zurR mutant background indicating that these putative transporters are ZurR regulated.