Characterization of a Bvg-regulated fatty acid methyl-transferase in Bordetella pertussis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176396
• Publication Date: 2017-05-11T17:52:33Z
• Authors: Alex Rivera-Millot; Elodie Lesne; Luis Solans; Loic Coutte; Justine Bertrand-...; Philippe Froguel; Véronique Dhennin; David Hot; Camille Locht; Rudy Antoine; Françoise Jacob-D...
• Keywords: Regulon; Bordetella; Pertactin

The whooping cough agent Bordetella pertussis controls the expression of its large virulence regulon in a coordinated manner through two-component signal transduction system BvgAS. In addition to genes coding for bona fide factors, Bvg comprises unknown function. this work, we characterized new Bvg-activated gene called BP2936. Homologs BP2936 are found other pathogenic Bordetellae and several species, including plant pathogens environmental bacteria. We showed that product is membrane-associated methyl-transferase free fatty acids. thus propose name it FmtB, acid Bordetella. role protein was tested cellular animal models infection, but loss did not appear affect host-pathogen interactions those assays. high level conservation among B. isolates nevertheless argues probably plays life cycle pathogen.