e., HilA and HilD) [38, 39]. This activation is, in part, indirect where Fur VX-680 cell line represses the expression of hns, which represses the expression of hilA and hilD [29]. Thus, Fur indirectly activates SPI1 via its repression

of hns, demonstrating that iron metabolism can influence genes regulated by H-NS. Our goal here was to compare the transcriptome of wild-type (WT) S. Typhimurium to an isogenic strain lacking the fur gene (Δfur) in cells growing under anaerobic conditions (i.e., conditions resembling that encountered check details by the pathogen during infection [40]). To accomplish that goal, we used DNA microarray analysis and operon reporter

fusions. We found that Fur directly or indirectly regulates 298 genes (~6.5% of the genome); of these, 49 contained a putative Fur binding site. Interestingly, Fnr controls 15 of these 49 genes [21] and 12 of the 15 genes contain putative binding sites for both Fur and Fnr. This suggests a regulatory link between oxygen and iron availability through the action of these two global regulators, Fur and Fnr. Furthermore, Fur was required for the activity of both cytoplasmic superoxide dismutases (MnSOD and FeSOD).

We also found that the anaerobic expression of ftnB (encoding a ferritin-like protein) and hmpA (encoding the NO· detoxifying flavohemoglobin) was dependent on both Fur and Fnr. However, the promoters of ftnB and hmpA do not contain recognizable Fur binding motifs indicating their indirect regulation by Fur. Increased expression of H-NS, a known repressor of ftnB, tdc operon, and Aldehyde dehydrogenase other genes, in Δfur may account for their activation by Fur. Finally, we have also identified twenty-six genes as new targets of Fur regulation in S. Typhimurium. Methods Bacterial strains, plasmids, growth conditions, and reagents S. Typhimurium (ATCC 14028s) was used throughout this study, and for the constructing gene knockouts. Bacterial strains and plasmids used are listed in Table 1. Primers used were purchased from Integrated DNA Technologies (Coralville, IA) and are listed (Additional file 1: Table S1).