Type III secretion homologs are present in Brucella melitensis, B. ovis, and B. suis biovars 1, 2, and 3.
Protein sequences from characterized type III secretion (TTS) systems were used as probes in silico to identify several TTS gene homologs in the genome sequence of Brucella suis biovar 1 strain 1330. Four of the genes, named flhB, fliP, fliR, and fliF on the basis of greatest homologies to known flagellar apparatus proteins, were targeted in PCR and hybridization assays to determine their distribution among other Brucella nomen species and biovars. The results indicated that flhB, fliP, fliR and fliF are present in Brucella melitensis, Brucella ovis, and Brucella suis biovars 1, 2 and 3. Similar homologos have been reported previously in Brucella abortus. Using RT-PCR assays, we were unable to detect any expression of these genes. It is not yet known whether the genes are the cryptic remnants of a flagellar system or are actively involved in a process contributing to pathogenicity or previously undetected motility, but they are distributed widely in Brucella and merit further study to determine their role.
Department of Medical Microbiology and Genito-Urinary Medicine, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK.
Abdullah I
AI
Abdallah
Nicola J
NJ
Commander
Martin J
MJ
Woodward
Steve
S
Spencer
C Anthony
CA
Hart
Craig
C
Winstanley
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002002:Brucella / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017347:Brucella melitensis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D041021:Brucella suis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers