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[Phenomenon of pili formation in Yersinia enterocolitica]
Abstract:
In Y. enterocolitica strain, serovar 0:10, the capacity for the formation of pili inducing the mannose-resistant hemagglutination (MRHA) of formolated sheep red blood cells was due to the presence of plasmid pYE10. MRHA-inducing pili differed serologically from Y. pestis and Y. tuberculosis adhesion pili. Plasmid pYE10 was immobilized for transfer to cells of Escherichia coli strain HB101 (rec A) by means of pRP 4. The expression of MRHA-inducing pili in the new host the rec A-independent character of the synthesis. Y. enterocolitica cells containing pYE10 agglutinated in tissue-culture media with 10% of serum added at 37 degrees C.
Insights
A plasmid in Yersinia enterocolitica (pYE10) enables the production of pili that cause mannose-resistant hemagglutination. These pili were successfully expressed in E. coli, independent of recA.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Yersinia enterocolitica is an important human pathogen.
- Pili play a crucial role in bacterial adhesion and pathogenesis.
- Mannose-resistant hemagglutination (MRHA) is a characteristic associated with certain virulence factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of MRHA in Yersinia enterocolitica.
- To characterize the pili responsible for MRHA.
- To determine if these pili can be expressed in a heterologous host.
Main Methods:
- Plasmid isolation and characterization.
- Bacterial conjugation for gene transfer.
- Hemagglutination assays.
- Serological analysis of pili.
- Expression studies in Escherichia coli.
Main Results:
- The plasmid pYE10 was identified as responsible for MRHA in Y. enterocolitica.
- MRHA-inducing pili were serologically distinct from those of Y. pestis and Y. tuberculosis.
- Plasmid pYE10 successfully transferred to E. coli HB101.
- MRHA pili were expressed in E. coli in a recA-independent manner.
- Y. enterocolitica strains harboring pYE10 showed agglutination in tissue culture media.
Conclusions:
- Plasmid pYE10 carries the genetic determinants for MRHA-inducing pili in Y. enterocolitica.
- The expression of these pili in E. coli demonstrates their functional transferability and recA-independent synthesis.
- These findings contribute to understanding the virulence mechanisms of Yersinia species.