Sequence variations within PrfA DNA binding sites and effects on Listeria monocytogenes virulence gene expression.

ABSTRACT

Reporter gene fusions were used to investigate the contributions of PrfA DNA binding sites to Listeria monocytogenes virulence gene expression. Our results suggest that the DNA sequence of PrfA binding sites determines the levels of expression of certain virulence genes, such as hly and mpl. Other virulence genes, such as actA and plcB, may depend upon additional factors for full regulation of gene expression.