The virulence factor LecB varies in clinical isolates: consequences for ligand binding and drug discovery.

ABSTRACT: P. aeruginosa causes a substantial number of nosocomial infections and is the leading cause of death of cystic fibrosis patients. This Gram-negative bacterium is highly resistant against antibiotics and further protects itself by forming a biofilm. Moreover, a high genomic variability among clinical isolates complicates therapy. Its lectin LecB is a virulence factor and necessary for adhesion and biofilm formation. We analyzed the sequence of LecB variants in a library of clinical isolates and demonstrate that it can serve as a marker for strain family classification. LecB from the highly virulent model strain PA14 presents 13% sequence divergence with LecB from the well characterized PAO1 strain. These differences might result in differing ligand binding specificities and ultimatel

SUBMITTER: Sommer R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6018602 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature