Temperature-dependent flagellar antigen phase variation in Escherichia coli
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2026

Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series
Published on: May 10, 2020
1Department of Microbiology, Mechnikov Research Institute for Vaccines and Sera (Russian Academy of Medical Science), Moscow.
Abstract:
A new kind of flagellar phase (H antigen) variation which is dependent on the temperature of growth is described for Escherichia coli strains, all but one of which belong to serogroup O148, isolated in different geographical regions. At 37 degrees C the strains simultaneously displayed two different H antigen specificities, H40 and H53, while in cultures grown at 30 degrees C only a single flagellar antigen, H53, was detected. It was shown that the bacteria possess two separate flagellin genes, fliC40 and flkA53. An element controlling the temperature-dependent expression of fliC was localized in the region of flkA53. Relevant problems in H antigen serotyping in E. coli are discussed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Chemotaxis in E. coli
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Special Staining Techniques

