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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Chronic Salmonella Infected Mouse Model
Published on: May 31, 2010
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ompS1 and ompS2 mutants are attenuated for virulence in mice
Olivia Rodríguez-Morales1, Marcos Fernández-Mora, Ismael Hernández-Lucas
1Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México.
Abstract:
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium mutants with mutations in the ompS1 and ompS2 genes, which code for quiescent porins, were nevertheless highly attenuated for virulence in a mouse model, indicating a role in pathogenesis. Similarly, a strain with a mutation in the gene coding for LeuO, a positive regulator of ompS2, was also attenuated.
Insights
Salmonella Typhimurium porin mutants lacking OmpS1 and OmpS2 proteins showed reduced virulence in mice. Mutations in the LeuO regulator gene also attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a significant foodborne pathogen.
- Porins, such as OmpS1 and OmpS2, are outer membrane proteins crucial for bacterial survival and virulence.
- The regulation of porin expression plays a role in bacterial adaptation and pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of OmpS1 and OmpS2 porins in Salmonella Typhimurium virulence.
- To determine the impact of mutations in ompS1 and ompS2 genes on bacterial pathogenesis.
- To examine the contribution of LeuO, a regulator of ompS2, to Salmonella Typhimurium virulence.
Main Methods:
- Construction and characterization of Salmonella Typhimurium mutants with deletions in ompS1 and ompS2 genes.
- Assessment of bacterial virulence in a mouse model.
- Analysis of the regulatory role of LeuO in ompS2 expression and its effect on virulence.
Main Results:
- Salmonella Typhimurium mutants lacking functional OmpS1 and OmpS2 porins exhibited significant attenuation in virulence.
- A mutant strain with a disruption in the gene encoding LeuO, a positive regulator of ompS2, was also found to be attenuated for virulence.
- These findings suggest that OmpS1 and OmpS2 porins, and their regulation by LeuO, are important for Salmonella Typhimurium pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- OmpS1 and OmpS2 porins are critical for the full virulence of Salmonella Typhimurium in a murine model.
- The positive regulator LeuO contributes to Salmonella Typhimurium pathogenesis, likely through its control of ompS2 expression.
- Targeting these porins or their regulatory pathways could represent a potential strategy for controlling Salmonella infections.
