Structure of GrlR-GrlA complex that prevents GrlA activation of virulence genes

Abhilash Padavannil, Chacko Jobichen, Erez Mills, Adrian Velazquez-Campoy, Mo Li, Ka Yin Leung, Yu Keung Mok, Ilan Rosenshine, J. Sivaraman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

The locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) is essential for virulence of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). The 41 genes of the LEE encode type III secretion system proteins and three associated regulators: Ler, GrlA and GrlR. Ler is a positive regulator for most of the LEE operons, including grlRA. GrlA controls the expression of ler, ehxCABD and flhDC operons. GrlR binds to GrlA and suppresses its function. Here we report the crystal structure of GrlR-GrlAΔ (aa 1-106) complex (2:1) and its functional characterization. We show that GrlR interacts with the Helix-Turn-Helix motif of GrlA. Moreover, GrlA binds to the promoter DNA fragments of ler, ehxCABD and flhDC, and GrlR outcompetes with these promoter DNA sequences for the Helix-Turn-Helix motif of GrlA. These findings provide mechanistic insight into a regulatory module for the virulence of EPEC and EHEC, two important pathogens that cause devastating diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2546
JournalNature Communications
Volume4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Structure of GrlR-GrlA complex that prevents GrlA activation of virulence genes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this