Abstract 2913 Investigating structural and functional elements critical for complex formation between SreA riboswitch and prfA thermosensor

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that causes a deadly foodborne illness, listeriosis. Its ability to transition to an intracellular pathogen and invade human hosts is dependent on the expression of its virulence genes, which are controlled by the Positive Regulatory Factor A (PrfA) transcription factor. The translation of PrfA is controlled by an RNA thermosensor (RNAT), a structured regulatory element found in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the prfA mRNA that unfolds to promote translation at elevated temperatures, such as inside a human host.