Transport of Ca2+ by Yersinia pestis.
Low-calcium-response, or Lcr, plasmids of yersiniae are known to promote an in vitro nutritional requirement for 2.5 mM Ca2+ at 37 degrees C which, if not fulfilled, results in cessation of growth with induction of virulence functions (Lcr+). The mechanism whereby Ca2+ regulates this metabolic shift is unknown. Radioactive Ca2+ was not actively accumulated by yersiniae but was excluded by an exit reaction analogous to those described for other bacteria. Nevertheless, cultivation at 37 degrees C with 0.1 mM Ca2+, a level insufficient to prevent restriction of cell division, promoted significantly more binding of the cation by Lcr+ organisms than by plasmid-deficient Lcr- mutants. According, Lcr+ yersiniae may possess unique ligands capable of recognizing Ca2+.
Perry
R D
RD
Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1101.
Brubaker
R R
RR
D001692:Biological Transport; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002258:Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003470:Culture Media; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013696:Temperature; D014774:Virulence; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D003470:Culture Media; D002258:Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone; D002118:Calcium