Identification and characterization of VC1123, a novel gene required for colonization in Vibrio cholerae

Our findings demonstrate that <i>VC1123</i> functions as a negative regulator of intestinal colonization in <i>V. cholerae</i>. The data suggest that <i>VC1123</i> modulates <i>ompU</i> and <i>ompT</i> expression through a pathway independent of the canonical ToxR/ToxS regulatory system. This study uncovers a previously underexplored layer of virulence regulation mediated by a conserved gene of unknown function and provides new insight into adaptive strategies employed by emerging <i>V. cholerae</i> lineages.