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Identification of Genes Involved in the Resistance of Mycobacteria to Killing by Macrophages a
Author(s) -
MUNDAYOOR SATHISH,
SHINNICK THOMAS M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1994.tb44236.x
Subject(s) - gene , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , recombinant dna , bacteria , dna , plasmid , mycobacterium smegmatis , tuberculosis , genetics , mycobacterium tuberculosis , medicine , pathology
The survival of M. leprae and M. tuberculosis in the human host is dependent upon their ability to produce gene products that counteract the bactericidal activities of macrophages. To identify such mycobacterial genes and gene products, recombinant DNA libraries of mycobacterial DNA in E. coli were passed through macrophages to enrich for clones carrying genes that endow the normally susceptible E. coli bacteria with an enhanced ability to survive within macrophages. Following three cycles of enrichment, 15 independent clones were isolated. Three recombinants were characterized in detail, and each confers significantly enhanced survival on E. coli cells carrying them. Two of the cloned genetic elements also confer enhanced survival onto M. smegmatis cells. Further characterization of these genes and gene products should provide insights into the survival of mycobacteria within macrophages and may identify new approaches of targets for combatting these important pathogens.