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A novel adaptation of aldolase regulates virulence in Streptococcus pyogenes
Author(s) -
Loughman Jennifer A,
Caparon Michael G
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601393
Subject(s) - biology , streptococcus pyogenes , virulence , aldolase a , adaptation (eye) , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , streptococcaceae , gene , bacteria , enzyme , biochemistry , neuroscience , staphylococcus aureus
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.