A novel glucosyltransferase involved in O-antigen modification of Shigella flexneri serotype 1c.

ABSTRACT: The O antigen of serotype 1c differs from the unmodified O antigen of serotype Y by the addition of a disaccharide (two glucosyl groups) to the tetrasaccharide repeating unit. It was shown here that addition of the first glucosyl group is mediated by the previously characterized gtrI cluster, which is found within a cryptic prophage at the proA locus in the bacterial chromosome. Transposon mutagenesis was performed to disrupt the gene responsible for addition of the second glucosyl group, causing reversion to serotype 1a. Colony immunoblotting was used to identify the desired revertants, and subsequent sequencing, cloning, and functional expression successfully identified the gene encoding serotype 1c-specific O-antigen modification. This gene (designated gtrIC) was present as part of a th

SUBMITTER: Stagg RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2795301 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature