The Product of the fimI gene is necessary for Escherichia coli type 1 pilus biosynthesis.
Site-directed mutagenesis was employed to create lesions in fimI, a gene of uncertain function located in the chromosomal gene cluster (fim) involved in Escherichia coli type 1 pilus biosynthesis. Chromosomal fimI mutations produced a piliation-negative phenotype. Complementation analysis indicated that a fimI'-kan insertion mutation and a fimI frameshift mutation produced polarity-like effects not seen with an in-frame fimI deletion mutation. Minicell analysis associated fimI with a 16.4-kDa noncytoplasmic protein product (FimI). We conclude that FimI has a required role in normal pilus biosynthesis.
Valenski
Mary L
ML
College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA.
Harris
Sandra L
SL
Spears
Patricia A
PA
Horton
John R
JR
Orndorff
Paul E
PE
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000483:Alleles; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D016368:Frameshift Mutation; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli; C099569:FimI protein, E coli; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins