The simultaneous production of both Hly- and Hpm-like hemolysins is characteristic of the Proteus penneri species.
Clinical isolates of Proteus penneri were tested for the presence of genes encoding hemolytic activity. Strains possessing DNA sequences similar to the hlyCABD genes in Escherichia coli were found. Each secreted a 110 kDa protein which reacted with a specific anti-HlyA antiserum. Southern blotting analysis revealed that the HindIII restriction fragment pattern for the hlyCABD genes of these strains was conserved. Similarly, the chromosomal location of these genes is relatively conserved based on the pattern of NotI digested DNA fragments separated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. One strain carried an additional copy of the hlyCABD determinant which was mapped on a second NotI genomic fragment. All strains contained also chromosomally encoded sequences related to the hpmBA genes originally cloned from Proteus mirabilis. All strains produced a 166 kDa exoprotein detected in immunoblots with a specific antiserum raised against HpmA hemolysin. The hpmBA genes were located on other NotI fragments than hlyCABD genes. In contrast to the other Proteae, the simultaneous production of both hemolysins seems to be a common characteristics of Proteus penneri isolates.
Serwecinska
L
L
Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Lódź, Poland.
Pytlos
M
M
Lukomski
S
S
Jaworski
A
A
Rózalski
A
A
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011511:Proteus / Q000378:metabolism*
D006460:Hemolysin Proteins