title: Cloning and sequencing of the glucosyl transferase-encoding gene from converting bacteriophage X (SFX) of Shigella flexneri.
abstract: Shigella flexneri type Y strains (-;3,4) are converted to type X (-;7,8) by bacteriophage X (SFX) that causes glucosylation of the O-antigenic polysaccharide chain. The gene (gtr) encoding glucosyl transferase from bacteriophage X has been cloned and sequenced. The protein encoded by gtr consists of 416 amino acids with a M(r) of 47,369. The cloned gtr product was able to convert a S. flexneri strain type Y (SFL 124, a live attenuated candidate vaccine strain) to type X. The importance of the hybrid strain in vaccine development is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Bacteriology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Huan
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lindberg
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012763:Shigella flexneri / Q000235:genetics*; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins; D005964:Glucosyltransferases