InvA protein is a Nudix hydrolase required for infection by pathogenic Leptospira in cell lines and animals.

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira is a re-emerging zoonotic disease, which affects a wide variety of host species and is transmitted by contaminated water. The genomes of several pathogenic Leptospira species contain a gene named invA, which contains a Nudix domain. However, the function of this gene has never been characterized. Here, we demonstrated that the invA gene was highly conserved in protein sequence and present in all tested pathogenic Leptospira species. The recombinant InvA protein of pathogenic L. interrogans strain Lai hydrolyzed several specific dinucleoside oligophosphate substrates, reflecting the enzymatic activity of Nudix in Leptospira species. Pathogenic leptospires did not express this protein in media but temporarily expressed it at

SUBMITTER: Luo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3196074 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature