The Legionella pneumophila tatB gene facilitates secretion of phospholipase C, growth under iron-limiting conditions, and intracellular infection.

ABSTRACT: Our previous mutational analysis of Legionella pneumophila demonstrated a role for type II protein (Lsp) secretion and iron acquisition in intracellular infection and virulence. In gram-negative bacteria, the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway is involved in secretion of proteins, including components of respiratory complexes, across the inner membrane to the periplasm. To assess the significance of Tat for L. pneumophila, tatB mutants were characterized. The mutants exhibited normal growth in standard media but grew slowly under low-iron conditions. They were also impaired in the Nadi assay, indicating that the function of cytochrome c oxidase is influenced by tatB. Consistent with this observation, a subunit of the cytochrome c reductase was shown to be a Tat substrate. Supernatan

SUBMITTER: Rossier O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1087389 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature