Open AccessIdentification of a new RTX‐like gene cluster in Vibrio cholerae
Author(s) -
Chatterjee Raghunath,
Nag Sanjay,
Chaudhuri Keya
Publication year - 2008
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.1574-6968.2008.01199.x
Subject(s) - vibrio cholerae , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , gene , mutant , mutagenesis , gene cluster , biofilm , tandem repeat , genetics , bacteria , genome
A gene cluster containing two genes in tandem has been identified in Vibrio cholerae ElTor N16961. Each has more than one cadherin domain and is homologous to the RTX toxin family and was common in various V. cholerae strains. Insertional mutagenesis demonstrated that each gene has a role in Hep‐2 cell rounding, hemolytic activity towards human and sheep RBCs and biofilm formation. The mutants showed reduced adherence to intestinal epithelial cells as well as reduction of in vivo colonization in suckling mice. These two genes thus code for RTX‐like toxins in V. cholerae and are associated with the pathogenecity of this organism.