HreP, an in vivo-expressed protease of Yersinia enterocolitica, is a new member of the family of subtilisin/kexin-like proteases.

ABSTRACT: The role of proteases in pathogenesis is well established for several microorganisms but has not been described for Yersinia enterocolitica. Previously, we identified a gene, hreP, which showed significant similarity to proteases in a screen for chromosomal genes of Y. enterocolitica that were exclusively expressed during an infection of mice. We cloned this gene by chromosome capture and subsequently determined its nucleotide sequence. Like inv, the gene encoding the invasin protein of Y. enterocolitica, hreP is located in a cluster of flagellum biosynthesis and chemotaxis genes. The genomic organization of this chromosomal region is different in Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Yersinia pestis than in Y. enterocolitica. Analysis of the distribution of hreP between different Yersinia iso

SUBMITTER: Heusipp G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC95231 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature