Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence and Pathogenesis Issues
Victoria E. Wagner, Melanie J. Filiatrault, Kristin F. Picardo and Barbara H. Iglewski
from: Pseudomonas: Genomics and Molecular Biology (Edited by: Pierre Cornelis). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2008)
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression can occur through cell-cell communication or quorum sensing (QS) via the production of small molecules called autoinducers. QS is known to control expression of a number of virulence factors. Another form of gene regulation which allows the bacteria to rapidly adapt to surrounding changes is through environmental signaling. Recent studies have discovered that anaerobiosis can significantly impact the major regulatory circuit of QS. This important link between QS and anaerobiosis has a significant impact on production of virulence factors of this organism. The information provided in this chapter will focus on the more recently identified virulence factors of Pseudomonas, the recent insights into oxygen and its role in pathogenesis, and the issues raised with the molecular biology approaches that have been taken to understand these complex regulatory networks. A comparative overview of available plant and animal models of Pseudomonas which are used to identify virulence factors of this bacterium will also be presented read more ...
