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[The 102 kb pigmentation (pgm) locus of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti]
Zhi-kai Zhang1, Dong-zheng Yu, Jian-hua Zhang
1Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
Objective:
To find out the differences between 102 kb pgm locus of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti with of other types, and the characters of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti caused by their makeup of the 102 kb pgm locus.
Methods:
102 kb pgm locus of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti and Yersinia pestis isolated from Marmota himalayana were amplified by polymerase chain reation (PCR) with 25 pair of nested primers. The PCR products of one pair of primer were obviously different, and then cloned and sequenced. Sequences were searched against current protein and nucleotide databases, using BLAST.
Results:
The 102 kb pgm locus of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti was devoid one IS100. In addition, it had more copies than other types in the similar variable-number tandem repeat sequences.
Conclusion:
The 102 kb pgm locus of Yersinia pestis was different from that of other types. It had only one IS100 flanked it, which corresponded to the character that its pgm(+) phenotype was stable. Further study was needed to confirm the relationship between the diminution virulence of Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti and the loss of IS100 and other changes.
Insights
The 102 kb pgm locus in Yersinia pestis from Microtus brandti differs from other types, lacking an IS100 insertion and showing altered tandem repeats. This genetic variation may influence virulence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The 102 kb pgm locus is a key genetic element in Yersinia pestis.
- Understanding variations in this locus can provide insights into bacterial evolution and virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural differences of the 102 kb pgm locus in Yersinia pestis isolated from Microtus brandti compared to other strains.
- To characterize the genetic makeup of the 102 kb pgm locus in Yersinia pestis from Microtus brandti.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 102 kb pgm locus from Yersinia pestis strains.
- Cloning and sequencing of distinct PCR products.
- BLAST analysis for sequence comparison against nucleotide and protein databases.
Main Results:
- The 102 kb pgm locus in Yersinia pestis from Microtus brandti lacked one IS100 insertion.
- This locus exhibited an increased number of variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) sequences compared to other Yersinia pestis types.
- Sequence analysis revealed significant differences in the 102 kb pgm locus.
Conclusions:
- The 102 kb pgm locus of Yersinia pestis from Microtus brandti is genetically distinct.
- The presence of a single IS100 element flanking the locus contributes to the stability of the pgm(+) phenotype.
- Further research is required to elucidate the link between IS100 loss, other genetic alterations, and the reduced virulence observed in Yersinia pestis strains from Microtus brandti.
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