Virulence factor rtx in Legionella pneumophila, evidence suggesting it is a modular multifunctional protein.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The repeats in toxin (Rtx) are an important pathogenicity factor involved in host cells invasion of Legionella pneumophila and other pathogenic bacteria. Its role in escaping the host immune system and cytotoxic activity is well known. Its repeated motives and modularity make Rtx a multifunctional factor in pathogenicity.

Results

The comparative analysis of rtx gene among 6 strains of L. pneumophila showed modularity in their structures. Among compared genomes, the N-terminal region of the protein presents highly dissimilar repeats with functionally similar domains. On the contrary, the C-terminal region is maintained with a fashionable modular configuration, which gives support to its proposed role in adhesion and pore formation. Despite the variability of rtx am

SUBMITTER: D'Auria G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2257941 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature