Controlling gene expression in mycobacteria.

TitleControlling gene expression in mycobacteria.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsEhrt S, Schnappinger D
JournalFuture Microbiol
Volume1
Issue2
Pagination177-84
Date Published2006 Aug
ISSN1746-0921
KeywordsEscherichia coli, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Genetics, Microbial, Mycobacterium, Promoter Regions, Genetic
Abstract

The genus mycobacterium contains some of the most important human pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis in approximately 8 million people annually; Mycobacterium leprae, the etiologic agent of leprosy, which affects millions of people in Asia, Africa and Latin America; and Mycobacterium bovis, which causes tuberculosis in animals and people. Genetic tools for mycobacteria have been developed during the last 15 years and have helped to improve our understanding of the biology and pathogenesis of mycobacteria. However, genetic switches have only recently been developed that allow control of mycobacterial gene expression. Such systems have been used to facilitate protein overexpression in mycobacteria and to analyze gene function, in particular functions of essential genes. Some of the recently developed systems will allow controlling gene expression during animal infections and may therefore become invaluable tools for drug target validation. This article will review the features of available mycobacterial genetic switches and discuss their applications.

DOI10.2217/17460913.1.2.177
Alternate JournalFuture Microbiol
PubMed ID17661663

Weill Cornell Medicine Microbiology and Immunology 1300 York Avenue, Box 62 New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6505 Fax: (212) 746-8587