Expression of Adhesive Pili and the Collagen-Binding Adhesin Ace Is Activated by ArgR Family Transcription Factors in Enterococcus faecalis

Cell surface adhesins play critical roles in the formation of biofilms, host colonization, and the pathogenesis of opportunistic infections by Enterococcus faecalis . Here, we present new results showing that the expression of two major enterococcal surface adhesins, ebp pili, and the collagen-binding protein Ace is positively regulated at the transcription level by two argR family transcription factors, AhrC and ArgR2. In the case of pili, the direct target of regulation is the ebpR gene, previously shown to activate the transcription of the pilus structural genes, while the activation of ace transcription appears to be directly impacted by the two ArgR proteins. These transcription factors may represent new targets for blocking enterococcal infections.