Shedding of genes that interfere with the pathogenic lifestyle: the Shigella model.

Gianni Prosseda (1) , Maria Letizia Di Martino (1) , Rosaria Campilongo (1) , Rosa Fioravanti (2) , Gioacchino Micheli (3) , Mariassunta Casalino (2) , Bianca Colonna (1)

1 Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin"
2 Dipartimento di Biologia
3 Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari CNR

Pathoadaptive mutations are evolutionary events leading to the silencing of specific anti-virulence loci. This reshapes the core genome of a novel pathogen, adapts it to the host and boosts its harmful potential. A paradigmatic case is the emergence of Shigella, the causative agent of bacillary dysentery, from its innocuous Escherichia coli ancestor. Here we summarize current views on how pathoadaptation has allowed Shigella to progressively increase its virulence. In this context, modification of the polyamine pattern emerges as a crucial step towards full expression of the virulence program in Shigella.

Domains: Microbiology and Parasitology

Gianni Prosseda, Maria Letizia Di Martino, Rosaria Campilongo, Rosa Fioravanti, Gioacchino Micheli, et al.. Shedding of genes that interfere with the pathogenic lifestyle: the Shigella model.. Research in Microbiology, 2012, 163 (6-7), pp.399-406. ⟨10.1016/j.resmic.2012.07.004⟩. ⟨pasteur-00947763⟩