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Cloning and sequence analysis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus ompK gene encoding a 26-kDa outer membrane protein, OmpK,
T Inoue1, S Matsuzaki, S Tanaka
1Department of Microbiology, Kochi Medical School, Japan.
Abstract:
The ompK gene of Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1010 (RIMD 2210001) encoding an outer membrane protein (OMP), OmpK, which serves as the receptor for a broad-host-range vibriophage, KVP40, was cloned and sequenced. The gene consisted of 789 nucleotides encoding 263 amino acids. Since the first 20 amino acids most likely constitute the signal peptide, mature OmpK would consist of 243 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 27458 Da. Sequence comparisons indicate that OmpK is unique among Vibrio OMPs so far sequenced, but may be distantly related to Tsx of enteric bacteria and is homologous to an Aeromonas hydrophila OMP, protein IV.
Insights
Researchers cloned and sequenced the ompK gene from Vibrio parahaemolyticus, identifying the outer membrane protein OmpK as a receptor for vibriophage KVP40. This protein exhibits unique characteristics among Vibrio outer membrane proteins.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a significant marine bacterium with implications for public health.
- Bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) are crucial in regulating bacterial populations.
- Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) play vital roles in bacterial interactions and phage susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and sequence the ompK gene in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
- To characterize the OmpK protein and its role as a receptor for the vibriophage KVP40.
- To investigate the evolutionary relationship of OmpK with other OMPs.
Main Methods:
- Gene cloning and DNA sequencing of the ompK gene.
- Bioinformatic analysis of the ompK gene sequence and predicted OmpK protein.
- Sequence comparison with known outer membrane proteins from other bacterial species.
Main Results:
- The ompK gene consists of 789 nucleotides, encoding 263 amino acids.
- The mature OmpK protein (243 amino acids) has a predicted molecular mass of 27458 Da.
- OmpK is a unique Vibrio OMP, distantly related to enteric Tsx and homologous to Aeromonas hydrophila protein IV.
Conclusions:
- OmpK is identified as the specific receptor for the broad-host-range vibriophage KVP40.
- The unique sequence of OmpK suggests potential evolutionary divergence within Vibrio species.
- Understanding OmpK function provides insights into host-phage interactions and bacterial genetics.