New virulence-activated and virulence-repressed genes identified by systematic gene inactivation and generation of transcriptional fusions in Bordetella pertussis

An in silico scan of the partially completed genome sequence of Bordetella pertussis and analyses of transcriptional fusions generated with a new inte grational vector were used to identify new potential virulence genes. The g enes encoding a putative siderophore receptor, adhesins, and an autotranspo rter protein appeared to be regulated in a manner similar to Bordetella vir ulence genes by the global virulence regulator BvgAS. In contrast, the gene encoding a putative intimin-like protein appeared to be repressed under co nditions of virulence.