Open AccessThe lom gene of bacteriophage λ is involved in Escherichia coli K12 adhesion to human buccal epithelial cells
Author(s) -
Vaca Pacheco Sergio,
Garcıća González Octavio,
Paniagua Contreras Gloria Luz
Publication year - 1997
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.1574-6968.1997.tb12717.x
Subject(s) - escherichia coli , buccal swab , bacteriophage , buccal administration , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , adhesion , biology , chemistry , genetics , bioinformatics , organic chemistry
The role of the lom gene of bacteriophage λ in adhesion of Escherichia coli to human buccal epithelial cells (HBC) was studied testing the adherence of λ lom + and λ lom ::Tn pho A E. coli lysogens. λ lom + prophage increased 50% E. coli adhesion. This effect was not observed with λ lom ::Tn pho A. These results suggest that the normal Lom protein participates directly in adhesion or regulates the synthesis of other protein(s), which may be involved in adhesion.