<i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>σ^BContributes to Invasion of Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Abstract

The role of sigma(B) in Listeria monocytogenes infection of human intestinal epithelial cells was investigated. Invasion defects associated with loss of sigma(B) paralleled those of a DeltainlA strain independently of the sigma(B)-dependent P2(prfA) promoter. Concomitantly, amounts of inlA transcript and InlA protein were significantly decreased in the DeltasigB strain.