Role of FlgT in anchoring the flagellum of Vibrio cholerae.
Flagellar motility has long been regarded as an important virulence factor. In Vibrio cholerae, the single polar flagellum is essential for motility as well as for proper attachment and colonization. In this study, we demonstrate that the novel flagellar protein FlgT is involved in anchoring the flagellum to the V. cholerae cell. A screen for novel colonization factors by use of TnphoA mutagenesis identified flgT. An in-frame deletion of flgT established that FlgT is required for attachment, colonization, and motility. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that while the flgT mutant is capable of assembling a phenotypically normal flagellum, the flgT population is mostly aflagellate compared to the wild-type population. Further analyses indicated that the flagellum of the flgT mutant is released into the culture supernatant from the cell upon completion of assembly. Additionally, hook basal body complexes appear to be released along with the filament. These results indicate that FlgT functions to stabilize the flagellar apparatus at the pole of the cell.
Martinez
Raquel M
RM
Dartmouth Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Vail Building, HB7550, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
Jude
Brooke A
BA
Kirn
Thomas J
TJ
Skorupski
Karen
K
Taylor
Ronald K
RK
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002771:Cholera / Q000382:microbiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005407:Flagella / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D009154:Mutation; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D001426:Bacterial Proteins