RNA-mediated virulence regulation

PI: Jörgen Johansson, Professor
Department of Molecular Biology
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The intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes has turned out to be a very important model for the study of host-pathogen interactions and bacterial adaptation to mammalian hosts.

We are studying different aspects of RNA-mediated virulence gene regulation in L. monocytogenes. By using different approaches, we identified several ncRNAs in the human bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Several of them are involved in virulence by controlling different steps in the infection process, and their exact mechanism is currently being studied.

We are also examining the role of DEAD-box RNA-helicases at extremely low temperatures.

By adding a small molecule, L. monocytogenes infection of cultured human cells could be blocked. The molecule appears to function at the PrfA-regulatory pathway.

We have also identified a blue-light receptor, which control expression of many genes in L. monocytogenes. Our work will give important knowledge of how virulence-associated ncRNAs functions and we hope this information will help us develop new antibacterial drugs.

Effect of addition of C10 (100 µM) during a Listerial infection experiment.

More information on the webpage at the Department of Molecular Biology

Read a Swedish summary on Jörgen Johansson and his research group's research.