Regulation of virulence in Vibrio cholerae: the ToxR regulon

Future Microbiol. 2007 Jun;2(3):335-44. doi: 10.2217/17460913.2.3.335.

Abstract

Vibrio cholerae is a gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of cholera. This disease consists of enormous fluid loss through stools, which can be fatal. Cholera epidemics appear in explosive outbreaks that have occurred repeatedly throughout history. The virulence factors toxin coregulated pilus (TCP) and cholera toxin (CT) are essential for colonization of the host and enterotoxicity, respectively. These virulence factors are under the control of ToxT, an AraC/XylS family protein that activates transcription of the genes encoding TCP and CT. ToxT is under the control of a virulence regulatory cascade known as the ToxR regulon, which responds to environmental stimuli to ensure maximal virulence-factor induction within the human intestine. An understanding of this intricate signaling pathway is essential for the development of methods to treat and prevent this devastating disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Cholera / microbiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Regulon / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Vibrio cholerae / genetics*
  • Vibrio cholerae / metabolism
  • Vibrio cholerae / pathogenicity
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • toxR protein, bacteria