Pleiotropic effect of tatC mutation on metabolism of pathogen Yersinia enterocolitica.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the impact of depletion of the twin arginine translocation (TAT) system on virulence and physiology of Yersinia enterocolitica for a better understanding of its pathogenicity.


METHODS
We constructed a DeltatatC::SpR mutant of Yersinia enterocolitica by P1 phage mediated transduction using Escherichia coli K-12 DeltatatC::SpR strain as a donor.


RESULTS
A P1-mediated genetic material transfer was found between the two species of enterobacteria, indicating a great potential of acquisition of antibiotic resistance in emergency of a new threatening pathogen by genetic material exchanges. Periplasmic trimethylamine N-oxidase reductase activity was detected in the wild type Y. enterocolitica strain and translocation of this enzyme was completely abolished by the DeltatatC::SpR mutation. In addition, the DeltatatC::SpR mutation showed a pleiotropic effect on the metabolism of Y. enterocolitica. However, the tat mutation did not seem to affect the mobility and virulence of Y. enterocolitica under the conditions used.


CONCLUSIONS
Unlike other pathogenic bacteria studied, the TAT system of Y. enterocolitica might play an important role in the pathogenic process, which is distinct from other pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7.
Shi
Zhi-Yang
ZY
Jiangsu Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China.
Wang
Hua
H
Gu
Ling
L
Cui
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Wu
Long-Fei
LF
Kan
Biao
B
Pang
Bo
B
Wang
Xin
X
Xu
Jian-Guo
JG
Jing
Huai-Qi
HQ
D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D009154:Mutation; D000587:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors / Q000378:metabolism; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014774:Virulence; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity
C021567:methylamine dehydrogenase; D000587:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors