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MouR controls the expression of the Listeria monocytogenes Agr system and mediates virulence

Jorge Pinheiro1,2, Johnny Lisboa3, Rita Pombinho1,2

  • 1Group of Molecular Microbiology, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology; i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, Porto 4200-135, Portugal.

Nucleic Acids Research
|July 17, 2018
PubMed

Insights

A newly discovered regulator, MouR, controls Listeria monocytogenes virulence by activating the Agr quorum sensing system, impacting biofilm formation and infection. This finding is crucial for understanding and combating Lm infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathogen Research

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a foodborne pathogen causing invasive infections.
  • Lm survival and proliferation depend on a complex regulatory network controlling virulence factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize MouR, a novel virulence regulator in Lm.
  • To elucidate the regulatory role of MouR in Lm virulence and pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) for transcriptomic analysis to determine the MouR regulon.
  • Structural analysis of MouR to understand its DNA-binding properties.
  • In vitro cell invasion assays and in vivo mouse infection models to assess Lm virulence.

Main Results:

  • MouR was identified as a novel virulence regulator in Lm.
  • MouR positively controls the Agr quorum sensing system (agrBDCA) expression.
  • MouR directly binds the agr promoter, modulating chitinase activity and biofilm formation, and is essential for Lm virulence in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • MouR is a key transcriptional regulator essential for Listeria monocytogenes virulence.
  • MouR's regulation of the Agr system and downstream targets like chitinase and biofilm are critical for Lm pathogenesis.

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