Patent ID: 6696249
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A method of screening for a molecule that activates or inhibits type III secretion machinery in gram-negative bacteria, wherein the method comprises:a) contacting a molecule to be tested with Shigella flexneri cells having a type III secretion system and containing a reporter gene transcriptionally fused to a promoter of a gene activated or regulated by the type III secretion machinery under conditions for activation of the promoter; and b) detecting the presence or activity of the product of the reporter gene; wherein the reporter gene is lacZ, phoA, gfp, or luxAB,wherein the promoter is from the virA, ipaH9.8, ipaH7.8, ipaH7.5, and ipaH1.4 genes, and wherein detecting the presence or activity of the Product of the reporter gene indicates whether the sample molecule activates or inhibits type III secretion machinery.