Inactivation of the flagellin gene of Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis strongly reduces invasion into differentiated Caco-2 cells.
A nonflagellated mutant of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis was constructed by disrupting the flagellin gene (fliC). Northern blot analysis indicated that the mutation did not affect expression of the downstream fliU gene. Infection experiments with differentiated Caco-2 cells revealed that the mutant was about 50-fold less invasive than the wild-type strain, while bacterial adherence was unaffected. Complementation of the mutant with an intact fliC copy restored flagella formation and efficient bacterial invasion. Our data demonstrate that the fliC gene of S. enterica serotype Enteritidis is essential for the invasion of Caco-2 cells.
Van Asten
F J
FJ
Department of Bacteriology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands. f.asten@vet.uu.nl
Hendriks
H G
HG
Koninkx
J F
JF
Van der Zeijst
B A
BA
Gaastra
W
W
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D003470:Culture Media; D005408:Flagellin / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D003470:Culture Media; D005408:Flagellin