Modulation of AraC family member activity by protein ligands

A number of AraC family transcriptional activators bind low-molecular-weight ligands that modulate the activity of these proteins. Recently, it has become clear that the activity of several virulence-related AraC family members is regulated through the direct interaction of protein ligands. These interactions, in general, function to activate or repress the transcription of virulence genes in response to specific extracellular stimuli. The identification and characterization of several protein ligands that modify the activity of AraC family members in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica are discussed herein.