Genetic diversity of the gene cluster encoding longus, a type IV pilus of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains produce a type IV pilus named Longus. We identified a 16-gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of Longus that has 57 to 95% identity at the protein level to CFA/III, another type IV pilus of ETEC. Alleles of the Longus structural subunit gene lngA demonstrate a diversity of 12 to 19% at the protein level with strong positive selection for point replacements and horizontal transfer.

SUBMITTER: Gomez-Duarte OG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2168600 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature