RovA

RovA is a transcriptional regulator found in several Yersinia species, including Yersinia pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, and Y. enterocolitica. It belongs to the RovA/SlyA family of transcription factors within the MarR superfamily and functions as a DNA-binding regulator that influences the expression of virulence-associated genes.

RovA acts primarily as an activator of a subset of virulence genes, most notably invA, which encodes invasin, a surface protein that promotes bacterial entry into host cells. The RovA regulon can include other adhesins and factors involved in invasion and survival within hosts, reflecting RovA’s role in coordinating virulence programs. In addition to activation, RovA can participate in repression of certain targets as part of a broader regulatory network in some contexts.

Environmental conditions strongly influence RovA activity. Temperature, pH, and osmolarity modulate RovA-mediated gene expression, enabling Yersinia to adjust virulence traits in response to environmental cues. In environmental settings, RovA activity tends to promote invasion-related gene expression, while host-associated conditions can alter RovA function, contributing to phase-appropriate regulation during infection.

RovA is a focus of research into Yersinia pathogenicity and the regulatory circuits that govern the switch between environmental survival and mammalian infection. Studied as part of the broader RovA/SlyA family, RovA helps illuminate how bacteria integrate signals to modulate virulence gene expression.