Role of alkaline protease and elastase in the adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to WEHI cells.
Recent clinical isolates were tested for production of some extracellular factors such as alkaline protease and elastase. They were also assayed for adhesiveness to WEHI cells. It is well known that extracellular production of substances other than toxins is related to virulence and may increase adherence. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the role of extracellular proteins in adherence. Alkaline protease production was assayed using a test performed with casein as substrate while elastase activity was investigated with the elastin-congored method. Our results demonstrated that P. aeruginosa strains which are good alkaline protease and elastase producers adher better than those showing no or low protease and elastase activity.
Trancassini
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M
II Cattedra di Microbiologia-Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Roma, La Sapienza, Italy.
Magni
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A
Ghezzi
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MC
Nazzari
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C
Brenciaglia
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MI
Filadoro
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F
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D014774:Virulence
D010450:Endopeptidases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; C032923:microbial serine proteinases