The synthesis of OspD3 (ShET2) in Shigella flexneri is independent of OspC1

What is it about?

OspD3, also known as Shigella Enterotoxin 2 (ShET2), is a virulence factor in Shigella flexneri that has been shown to induce watery diarrhea and regulate interleukin-8 expression from infected epithelial cells. Previous research has suggested that the ospD3 gene requires the upstream gene ospC1 for appropriate expression. This work demonstrates that OspD3/ShET2 is expressed independently of OspC1 and have confirmed the virulence function of the protein.

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Why is it important?

This work has provided important insights into how a unique virulence factor is expressed by a bacterial pathogen and serves as a basis for future work characterizing OspD3/ShET2.