Characterization of a Campylobacter jejuni VirK protein homolog as a novel virulence determinant.

ABSTRACT: Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of food-borne illness in the United States. Despite significant recent advances, its mechanisms of pathogenesis are poorly understood. A unique feature of this pathogen is that, with some exceptions, it lacks homologs of known virulence factors from other pathogens. Through a genetic screen, we have identified a C. jejuni homolog of the VirK family of virulence factors, which is essential for antimicrobial peptide resistance and mouse virulence.

SUBMITTER: Novik V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2786475 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature