Listeria monocytogenes: The Role of Alternative Sigma Factors in Regulation of Hemolysin Gene (hly) Expression in Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen that has the capacity to cause severe infections, such as gastroenteritis, septicemia, abortion and meningitis in humans and animals. The alternative sigma factors (?B, ?C, ?H, & ?L) are responsible for regulating transcription of several Listeria monocytogenes virulence factors and stress response genes, including hemolysin gene (hly) that contribute to establishment of intracellular infection.