A novel virulence-associated cell surface structure composed of 47-kd protein subunits in Yersinia enterocolitica.
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.
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015007:Yersinia / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000472:pathogenicity*
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances