A novel virulence-associated cell surface structure composed of 47-kd protein subunits in Yersinia enterocolitica.

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A fresh human isolate of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 03, and its derivative that had lost the virulence‐associated 46‐Md plasmid, were grown under defined conditions and compared for their outer membrane protein and cell surface structure. Under these conditions, the virulent strain grown at 37 degrees C expressed one major outer membrane protein (47 kd) not present in the plasmidless strain or in either strain grown at room temperature. A 200‐kd protein also seen in the same preparations was shown to be an oligomer composed of the 47‐kd protein subunits. Four different electron microscopic techniques showed tack‐like projections covering the surface of those bacteria that expressed the 47‐kd protein. These were specifically labeled with antibody to the 47‐kd protein. This surface structure appeared to mediate aggregation (auto‐agglutination) of the bacteria bringing their surfaces into unusually close apposition.

This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit: