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Bacterial Signal Transduction: Networks and Drug Targets pp 149–160Cite as

The BvgS/BvgA Phosphorelay System of Pathogenic Bordetellae

Structure, Function and Evolution

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 631))

Abstract

In the genus Bordetella several important human and animal pathogens are classified with B. pertussis, the etiological agent of whooping cough, being medically the most relevant. In these bacteria expression of the most important virulence factors including several toxins, adhesins and colonization factors is controlled by a single master regulatory two-component system, the BvgS/BvgA system. This system represents a paradigm of a complex phosphorelay system that mediates a fine-tuned transcriptional response resulting in different expression levels of virulence factors during different stages of the infection process. In this chapter the current knowledge about signal perception and the molecular basis of differential gene expression controlled by a single two-component system is discussed.

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  1. Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany

    Dagmar Beier & Roy Gross

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Correspondence to Roy Gross .

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  1. Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kinki University, Nakamachi, Nara, Japan

    Ryutaro Utsumi PhD

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Beier, D., Gross, R. (2008). The BvgS/BvgA Phosphorelay System of Pathogenic Bordetellae . In: Utsumi, R. (eds) Bacterial Signal Transduction: Networks and Drug Targets. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 631. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78885-2_10

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