Bacterial Signal Transduction Networks and Drug Targets

Abstract

We have reviewed the molecular mechanism of the two-component signal transduction (TCS) network in Escherichia coli that were clarified using a DNA microarray. Focusing on the EvgS/EvgA and PhoQ/PhoP systems, we identified a small membrane protein, SafA (sensor associating factor A), which regulated the signal transduction cascade between the two systems. Furthermore, novel drug discovery systems for developing inhibitors targeting the WalK/WalR TCS essential for bacterial growth have been described.