Open AccessA dam mutant of Yersinia pestis is attenuated and induces protection against plague
Author(s) -
Robinson Victoria L.,
Oyston Petra C.F.,
Titball Richard W.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.09.001
Subject(s) - yersinia pestis , virulence , mutant , microbiology and biotechnology , plague (disease) , biology , sos response , gene , attenuated vaccine , bacteria , virology , genetics , medicine , pathology
We have constructed a dam mutant of Yersinia pestis GB. In BALB/c mice inoculated subcutaneously, the median lethal dose of the mutant was at least 2000‐fold higher than the wild type. Mice inoculated with sub‐lethal doses of the mutant were protected against a subsequent challenge with virulent Y. pestis . The effect of dam inactivation on gene expression was examined using a DNA microarray, which revealed increased expression of a number of genes associated with the SOS response. These results confirm the key role of Dam in the regulation of virulence, and its potential role as a target for the generation of attenuated strains of pathogenic bacteria.