Identification of linked Legionella pneumophila genes essential for intracellular growth and evasion of the endocytic pathway.

ABSTRACT: Legionella pneumophila replicates within a specialized phagosome in cultured cells, a function necessary for its pathogenicity. The replicative phagosome lacks membrane marker proteins, such as the glycoprotein LAMP-1, that are indicators of the normal endocytic pathway. We describe the isolation of several Legionella genes essential for intracellular growth and evasion of the endocytic pathway, using a genetic and cell biological approach. We screened 4,960 ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized colonies for defects in intracellular growth and trafficking to the replicative phagosome. Six mutant strains of L. pneumophila that had severe intracellular growth defects in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were identified. All six mutants were found in phagosomes that colocalized with LAMP-1,

SUBMITTER: Andrews HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC108001 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature