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Bordetella bronchiseptica expresses the fimbrial structural subunit gene fimA
J S Boschwitz1, H G van der Heide, F R Mooi
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicne, California 94305, USA.
Abstract:
The differential host species specificities of Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica might be explained by polymorphisms in adherence factor genes. We have found that B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica, unlike B. pertussis, contain a full-length gene for the fimbrial subunit FimA. B. bronchiseptica expresses fimA in a BvgAS-dependent fashion.
Insights
Bordetella species exhibit different host specificities due to variations in adherence genes. Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica possess a complete FimA gene, unlike Bordetella pertussis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Genetics
Background:
- Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica cause whooping cough and related respiratory illnesses.
- Differential host specificity among these Bordetella species is not fully understood.
- Adherence factors are crucial for bacterial colonization and host tropism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of fimbrial subunit A (FimA) gene polymorphisms in the differential host specificity of Bordetella species.
- To determine the presence and expression of the FimA gene in B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic analysis of adherence factor genes.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the FimA gene.
- Gene expression analysis in B. bronchiseptica.
Main Results:
- B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica possess a full-length fimA gene, while B. pertussis lacks it.
- B. bronchiseptica expresses the fimA gene in a BvgAS-dependent manner.
- FimA presence correlates with observed differences in host specificity among these Bordetella species.
Conclusions:
- The presence of a full-length FimA gene in B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica may contribute to their distinct host specificities compared to B. pertussis.
- FimA expression, regulated by the BvgAS system, is a key factor in B. bronchiseptica colonization.
- Further research into adherence factor polymorphisms can elucidate Bordetella host-pathogen interactions.