Complete DNA sequence and detailed analysis of the Yersinia pestis KIM5 plasmid encoding murine toxin and capsular antigen.

ABSTRACT: Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, harbors at least three plasmids necessary for full virulence of the organism, two of which are species specific. One of the Y. pestis-specific plasmids, pMT1, is thought to promote deep tissue invasion, resulting in more acute onset of symptoms and death. We determined the entire nucleotide sequence of Y. pestis KIM5 pMT1 and identified potential open reading frames (ORFs) encoded by the 100,990-bp molecule. Based on codon usage for known yersinial genes, homology with known proteins in the databases, and potential ribosome binding sites, we determined that 115 of the potential ORFs which we considered could encode polypeptides in Y. pestis. Five of these ORFs were genes previously identified as being necessary for production of the classic v

SUBMITTER: Lindler LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC108724 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature