PhoP can activate its target genes in a PhoQ-independent manner.

LEJONA, S., CASTELLI, M.E., CABEZA, M.L., KENNEY, L.J., GARCÍA VÉSCOVI, E., SONCINI, F.C.

JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY

Año: 2004 vol. 186 p. 2476 - 2480

0021-9193

The PhoP/PhoQ two-component system controls the extracellular magnesium depletion response in Salmonella enterica. Previous studies have shown that PhoP is unable to up-regulate its target genes in the absence of PhoQ function. In this work, we demonstrate that PhoP overexpression can substitute for PhoQ- and phosphorylation-dependent activation. Either a high concentration of PhoP or activation via phosphorylation stimulates PhoP self-association.