Open AccessEvidence for a DNA inversion system in Bordetella pertussis
Author(s) -
Foxall P.A.,
Drasar B.S.,
Duggleby C.J.
Publication year - 1990
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 - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1990.tb04165.x
Subject(s) - bordetella pertussis , biology , dna , virulence , gene , phase variation , homology (biology) , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , southern blot , genetics , bacteria
The expression of virulence‐associated genes in Bordetella pertussis can be lost in three ways: phase variation, antigenic modulation, or serotype conversion. The mechanism(s) of these alterations in gene expression is unclear. B. pertussis chromosomal DNA was probed with cloned pin genes from Escherichia coli and cloned hin genes from Salmonella typhimurium . DNA duplex melting temperature experiments indicated significant homology between B. Pertussis chromosamal DNA and both DNA inversion genes. Southern blots using the hin gene probe showed homology with a 15 kb Eco RI fragment of B. pertussis chromosomal DNA. We postulate here that B. pertussis contains a DNA inversion system which may be responsible for serotype conversion or virulence phase change in this organism.