Novel response regulator polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polynucleotides and polypeptides for the treatment of infection, particularly bacterial infections. Antagonists against such the polypeptides of the invention and their use as a therapeutic to treat infections, particularly bacterial infections are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to the presence the nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides of the invention in a host. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting polynucleotides encoding response regulators and for detecting the polypeptide in a host.