Isolation and characterization of FecA- and FeoB-mediated iron acquisition systems of the spirochete Leptospira biflexa by random insertional mutagenesis.

ABSTRACT: The specific mechanisms by which Leptospira spp. acquire iron from their ecological niches are unknown. A major factor contributing to our ignorance of spirochetal biology is the lack of methods for genetic analysis of these organisms. In this study, we have developed a system for random transposon mutagenesis of Leptospira biflexa using a mariner transposon, Himar1. To demonstrate the validity of Himar1 in vivo transposon mutagenesis in L. biflexa, a screen of mutants for clones impaired in amino acid biosynthesis was first performed, enabling the identification of tryptophan and glutamate auxotrophs. To investigate iron transporters, 2,000 L. biflexa transposon mutants were screened onto media with and without hemin, thus allowing the identification of five hemin-requiring mutants, and t

SUBMITTER: Louvel H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1082814 | biostudies-literature | 2005 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature