Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Engineering Adherent Bacteria by Creating a Single Synthetic Curli Operon
15:28

Engineering Adherent Bacteria by Creating a Single Synthetic Curli Operon

Published on: November 16, 2012

Genetic organization and complete sequence of the Proteus mirabilis pmf fimbrial operon

G Massad1, H L Mobley

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201.

Gene
|December 2, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Proteus mirabilis fimbriae (PMF) genes were sequenced, revealing a cluster encoding five polypeptides. Four PMF proteins show similarity to other fimbrial gene products, with unique features in the pmf cluster.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Proteus mirabilis is a bacterium frequently linked to urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis, and bacteremia.
  • Fimbriae are crucial virulence factors for bacterial adhesion and colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and determine the nucleotide sequence of genes encoding P. mirabilis fimbriae (PMF).
  • To analyze the predicted protein products and compare them with known fimbrial gene clusters.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of genes encoding PMF.
  • Determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of the pmf gene cluster.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of predicted polypeptides and sequence identity comparison.

Main Results:

  • The pmf gene cluster spans 5655 bp and predicts five polypeptides: PmfA, PmfC, PmfD, PmfE, and PmfF.
  • PmfA, PmfC, PmfD, and PmfF share over 25% amino acid sequence identity with products from pap, mrp, and sfa fimbrial gene clusters.
  • PmfE showed no significant similarity to known proteins in the SwissProt database, and no regulatory elements were identified within the sequence.

Conclusions:

  • The pmf gene cluster exhibits both conserved features common to enteric fimbrial gene clusters and unique characteristics.
  • Understanding the genetic basis of PMF production can provide insights into P. mirabilis pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

More Related Videos

Identification of Novel Genes Associated with Alginate Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Mini-himar1 Mariner Transposon-mediated Mutagenesis08:57

Identification of Novel Genes Associated with Alginate Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Mini-himar1 Mariner Transposon-mediated Mutagenesis

Published on: March 11, 2014

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing09:44

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Published on: December 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Operons02:09

Operons

Prokaryotes can control gene expression through operons—DNA sequences consisting of regulatory elements and clustered, functionally related protein-coding genes. Operons use a single promoter sequence to initiate transcription of a gene cluster (i.e., a group of structural genes) into a single mRNA molecule. The terminator sequence ends transcription. An operator sequence, located between the promoter and structural genes, prohibits the operon’s transcriptional activity if bound by a repressor...
Prokaryotic Transcriptional Activators and Repressors01:58

Prokaryotic Transcriptional Activators and Repressors

The organization of prokaryotic genes in their genome is notably different from that of eukaryotes. Prokaryotic genes are organized, such that the genes for proteins involved in the same biochemical process or function are located together in groups. This group of genes, along with their regulatory elements, are collectively known as an operon. The functional genes in an operon are transcribed together to give a single strand of mRNA known as polycistronic mRNA.
Transcription of prokaryotic...
Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria01:29

Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria

Bacterial cells were initially considered simple, randomly organized structures lacking a cytoskeleton. However, the discovery of cytoskeleton homologs in bacteria led to the change of this opinion. Bacterial cytoskeletal filaments regulate the cell shape, cell polarity, cell division, and partitioning of plasmids during cell division. It was later discovered that bacterial cytoskeletal proteins, mainly actin and tubulin homologs, are diverse compared to their eukaryotic counterparts. On the...
Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments01:28

Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of pilin protein, these hairlike appendages are crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity in various environments.Fimbriae: Adhesion and PathogenicityFimbriae are fine, filamentous structures measuring 2–10 nanometers in diameter and are densely distributed on the bacterial cell surface. They facilitate bacterial adhesion to abiotic...
Repressible Operon: trp Operon01:21

Repressible Operon: trp Operon

The trp operon in Escherichia coli exemplifies a repressible operon. It regulates the synthesis of tryptophan through repressor-mediated transcriptional control and attenuation. This dual regulatory mechanism ensures tryptophan biosynthesis occurs only when needed, conserving cellular resources.Structure of the trp OperonThe trp operon consists of five structural genes (trpE, trpD, trpC, trpB, and trpA) that encode enzymes for tryptophan biosynthesis. These genes are transcribed as a single...
Bacterial Phylum Verrucomicrobiota01:26

Bacterial Phylum Verrucomicrobiota

The phylum Verrucomicrobiota comprises at least four characterized orders, with most species classified within the order Verrucomicrobiotales. Members of this phylum are either aerobic or facultatively aerobic, with the ability to ferment sugars. A notable exception is the genus Methylacidiphilum, which consists of aerobic methanotrophs. Additionally, some Verrucomicrobiota establish symbiotic relationships with protists. These bacteria are widely distributed across various environments,...