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The YompC protein of Yersinia enterocolitica: molecular and physiological characterization

K Brzostek1, A Raczkowska

  • 1Department of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Warsaw University, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland. kbrzostek@biol.uw.edu.pl

Folia Microbiologica
|June 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 YompC porin was identified and cloned. Loss of YompC increased resistance to antibiotics and may affect bacterial adhesion.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Yersinia enterocolitica is a pathogenic bacterium.
  • Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) play crucial roles in bacterial physiology and pathogenicity.
  • Porins, a class of OMPs, form channels in the outer membrane, influencing permeability and antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize the YompC porin in Yersinia enterocolitica O:9.
  • To investigate the role of YompC in antibiotic resistance and bacterial adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Gene cloning and sequencing of the YompC structural gene.
  • Construction of a YompC-deficient mutant using insertional inactivation.
  • Analysis of outer membrane permeability and antibiotic resistance in wild-type and mutant strains.
  • HEp-2 cell binding assays to assess adhesion properties.

Main Results:

  • The YompC gene was identified and sequenced, revealing homology to OmpC porins.
  • YompC-deficient mutants exhibited reduced outer membrane permeability to beta-lactam antibiotics and tetracycline, leading to increased resistance.
  • Mutation in the ompR regulatory gene, affecting both YompC and YompF, resulted in higher antibiotic resistance.
  • YompC appears to play a role in the adhesion of Y. enterocolitica to HEp-2 cells.

Conclusions:

  • YompC is a significant porin contributing to Yersinia enterocolitica's outer membrane permeability and antibiotic resistance profile.
  • The ompR gene regulates the expression of YompC and YompF, impacting antibiotic resistance.
  • YompC may be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of Y. enterocolitica, including bacterial adhesion.

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