Conserved filamentous prophage in Escherichia coli O18:K1:H7 and Yersinia pestis biovar orientalis.
Microbial virulence is known to emerge by horizontal gene transfer mechanisms. Here we describe the discovery of a novel filamentous prophage, designated CUS-1, which is integrated into the chromosomal dif homologue of the high-virulence clone Escherichia coli O18:K1:H7. An homologous chromosomal element (CUS-2) in Yersinia pestis biovar orientalis is integrated at the same relative location as CUS-1; both lysogenic E. coli and Y. pestis strains produce particles with properties expected of single-stranded DNA virions. CUS(phi) is epidemiologically correlated with the emergence of K1 strains with increased virulence and with the Y. pestis biovar responsible for the current (third) plague pandemic.
Gonzalez
Mark D
MD
Laboratory of Sialobiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA.
Lichtensteiger
Carol A
CA
Caughlan
Ruth
R
Vimr
Eric R
ER
D000818:Animals; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*