Dam methyltransferase is required for stable lysogeny of the Shiga toxin (Stx2)-encoding bacteriophage 933W of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7.
Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2), one of the principal virulence factors of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, is encoded by 933W, a lambda-like prophage. 933W prophage induction contributes to Stx2 production, and here, we provide evidence that Dam methyltransferase is essential for maintenance of 933W lysogeny. Our findings are consistent with the idea that the 933W prophage has a relatively low threshold for induction, which may promote Stx2 production during infection.
Murphy
Kenan C
KC
University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
Ritchie
Jennifer M
JM
Waldor
Matthew K
MK
Løbner-Olesen
Anders
A
Marinus
M G
MG
D003090:Coliphages / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D054324:Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D007612:Kanamycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008242:Lysogeny; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D022641:Shiga Toxin 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014774:Virulence
D022641:Shiga Toxin 2; D007612:Kanamycin; C058693:Dam methyltransferase; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific)