Identification and nucleotide sequence of the gene determining the adhesion capacity of Serratia marcescens

Three open reading frames, designated smfE, smfF, and smfG, within the mannose-resistant fimbria gene cluster of Serratia marcescens were identified. smfG, which is responsible for determining the receptor binding of S. marcescens, encodes a 280-amino-acid polypeptide with a typical prokaryotic signal sequence.