title: Biogenesis of the fraction 1 capsule and analysis of the ultrastructure of Yersinia pestis.
abstract: Analysis of a Yersinia pestis Delta caf1A mutant demonstrated that the Caf1A usher is required for the assembly and secretion of the fraction 1 capsule. The capsule assembled into thin fibrils and denser aggregates on the bacterial surface. Pilus-like fibers were also detected on the surface of Y. pestis. The capsule occasionally coated these fibers, suggesting how the capsule may cloak surface features to prevent host recognition.
authors.affiliation: Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-512, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Runco
authors.forename: Selina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Myrczek
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bliska
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Thanassi
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C086725:caf1 protein, Yersinia pestis