The flagellar-specific transcription factor, σ28, is the Type III secretion chaperone for the flagellar-specific anti-σ28 factor FlgM

Abstract

The σ28 protein is a member of the bacterial σ70-family of transcription factors that directs RNA polymerase to flagellar late (class 3) promoters. The σ28 protein is regulated in response to flagellar assembly by the anti-σ28 factor FlgM. FlgM inhibits σ28-dependent transcription of genes whose products are needed late in assembly until the flagellar basal motor structure, the hook-basal body (HBB), is constructed. A second function for the σ28 transcription factor has been discovered: σ28 facilitates the secretion of FlgM through the HBB, acting as the FlgM Type III secretion chaperone. Transcription-specific mutants in σ28 were isolated that remained competent for FlgM-facilitated secretion separating the transcription and secretion-facilitation activities of σ 28. Conversely, we also describe the isolation of mutants in σ28 that are specific for FlgM-facilitated secretion. The data demonstrate that σ28 is the Type III secretion chaperone for its own anti-sigma factor FlgM. Thus, a novel role for a σ70-family transcription factor is described.