Post-transcriptional regulation of type III secretion in plant and animal pathogens.

Post-transcriptional regulation of type III secretion in plant and animal pathogens.
Curr Opin Microbiol. 2017 Feb 09;36:30-36
Authors: Schulmeyer KH, Yahr TL
Abstract
Type III secretion systems (T3SS) serve as a primary anti-host defense mechanism for many Gram-negative plant and animal pathogens. T3SS production is tightly controlled and activated by host-associated signals. Although transcriptional responses represent a significant component of the activation cascade, recent studies have uncovered diverse post-transcriptional mechanisms that also contribute to T3SS production. Targets for post-transcriptional control are often AraC/XylS transcription factors that promote T3SS gene expression. Commons mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation include direct control of either the activity of AraC/XylS transcription factors by protein ligands, small molecules, or post-translational modification, or transcription factor synthesis. In the latter case, RNA-binding proteins such as Hfq, CsrA/RsmA, and components of the RNA degradosome alter mRNA stability and/or the rate of translation initiation to control transcription factor synthesis. Here we summarize post-transcriptional mechanisms that contribute to the exquisite regulation of T3SS gene expression.
PMID: 28189908 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - February 8, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Schulmeyer KH, Yahr TL Tags: Curr Opin Microbiol Source Type: research