title: Phase variable restriction-modification systems in Moraxella catarrhalis.
abstract: A repetitive DNA motif was used as a marker to identify novel genes in the mucosal pathogen Moraxella catarrhalis. There is a high prevalence of such repetitive motifs in virulence genes that display phase variable expression. Two repeat containing loci were identified using a digoxigenin-labelled 5'-(CAAC)6-3' oligonucleotide probe. The repeats are located in the methylase components of two distinct type III restriction-modification (R-M) systems. We suggest that the phase variable nature of these R-M systems indicates that they have an important role in the biology of M. catarrhalis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Seib
authors.forename: Ian R A
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Peak
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jennings
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D016870:Neisseriaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes