FimZ is a molecular link between sticking and swimming in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium produces two types of filamentous appendages on its surface. Fimbriae mediate adherence to tissues and cells via receptor-specific interactions, and flagella are the organelles of motility. These appendages play a role in colonization and dissemination, respectively, from infected surfaces and may be important components of bacterial survival. Increased expression of FimZ in serovar Typhimurium resulted in bacteria which were hyperfimbriated but were nonmotile in soft agar. This lack of motility was associated with down regulation of the flhDC master flagellar operon. Therefore, FimZ represents a molecular connection between flagella and fimbrial formation in serovar Typhimurium, indicating that the synthesis of flagella and fimbriae are oppositely controlled.
Clegg
Steven
S
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. stevenclegg@uiowa.edu
Hughes
Kelly T
KT
D000362:Agar; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003470:Culture Media; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D015870:Gene Expression; D016296:Mutagenesis; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; C090552:flhC protein, E coli; C090553:flhD protein, E coli; C069285:fimZ protein, Bacteroides nodosus; D000362:Agar