IgaA ( intracellular growth attenuator A) is a conserved bacterial membrane protein involved in the negative regulation of the Rcs phosphorelay system, a signaling pathway that controls envelope stress responses in many Gram-negative bacteria. The protein is essential for bacterial viability in several species, including Salmonella enterica, and plays a key role in modulating growth and virulence.
Function
IgaA is a multi-pass inner membrane protein that suppresses activation of the RcsCDB phosphorelay system under non-stress conditions. When functioning properly, IgaA prevents unnecessary activation of envelope stress responses, helping maintain homeostasis and prevent toxic overexpression of capsular polysaccharides and other surface components.
Loss-of-function mutations in igaA lead to constitutive activation of Rcs signaling, resulting in defects in cell division, envelope structure, and motility, and in some cases a reduction in virulence.
Structure
IgaA typically contains several transmembrane domains and a cytoplasmic tail that may interact with downstream regulators. It is classified under the
Pfam protein family .
Biological significance
IgaA is essential for intracellular survival and growth in host cells in some pathogenic bacteria. Its role in virulence regulation makes it a potential target for antibacterial strategies aimed at disabling stress adaptation mechanisms.
Homologs
Orthologs of IgaA have been identified in a wide range of Enterobacteriaceae species, including
Escherichia coli,
Yersinia pestis, and
Shigella flexneri.
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