The sigma factor M (SigM) regulon in Mycobacterium abscessus

Mycobacterium abscessus causes infections that are often resistant to treating with standard antibiotics. Previous studies have shown that a secretion system, ESX-4, is used by infecting bacteria to survive in host macrophage cells. We identify genes that are co-activated along with ESX-4 by the SigM transcription factor. This provides a blueprint for proteins that are secreted by ESX-4 that allow survival in host cells. This knowledge may identify new targets to treat Mycobacterium abscessus infections.