Serotype variation in Bordetella pertussis is governed by cis-acting elements.
Bordetella pertussis contains two genes encoding the serospecific fimbrial subunit proteins 2 and 3 which are assembled into completed fimbriae, which elicit the formation of agglutinating antibodies. Expression of these agglutinogens can vary independently of each other. A gene library from a B. pertussis strain (fimbrial serotype 0.3) was probed with an oligonucleotide probe specific for fimbrial subunit genes. Three homologous genetic loci were identified; an active fim 3 gene, an inactive fim 2 gene and an unknown fim-homologous region. The fim 3 gene carried on a cosmid produced agglutinating fimbrial structures in B. parapertussis and in variants of B. pertussis which had lost the capacity to produce the agglutinogen. This indicated that cis-acting factors are associated with serotype variation in B. pertussis rather than the production of trans-acting repressor molecules.
MacGregor
D
D
Department of Microbiology, University of Glasgow, U.K.
Coote
J G
JG
Duggleby
C J
CJ
Parton
R
R
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D015870:Gene Expression; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D012703:Serotyping; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000235:genetics*
D012097:Repressor Proteins; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella