R-plasmid RP1 increases sensitivity of Proteus mirabilis to normal body defences.
The bactericidal action of non-immune whole blood on Proteus mirabilis was increased when the bacteria contained the R-plasmid RP1. This effect was due mainly to increased phagocytosis. Iron-depleted stationary-phase cells were more sensitive than carbon-depleted cells. The contribution of serum was usually negligible but was increased during a minor non-specific infection. Most plasmid-containing phenotypes were more sensitive than were those without plasmids but there were considerable differences between stationary and exponentially-growing cells. The R-plasmid-mediated increase in sensitivity to phagocytosis may be due in part to the presence of additional glycosylated proteins in the outer membrane.
Onaolapo
J A
JA
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham.
Klemperer
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010957:Plasmids; D011513:Proteus mirabilis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D051381:Rats
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007501:Iron