The Lly protein protects Legionella pneumophila from light but does not directly influence its intracellular survival in Hartmannella vermiformis. |
| |
| Authors: | M Steinert, H Engelhard, M Flü gel, E Wintermeyer, J Hacker |
| |
| Affiliation: | M Steinert, H Engelhard, M Flügel, E Wintermeyer, and J Hacker |
| |
| Abstract: | The lly locus (legiolysin) mediates the browning of the culture medium of Legionella pneumophila in the late stationary growth phase, presumably as a result of synthesis of homogentisic acid. Mutagenesis of the lly gene of the L. pneumophila Philadelphia I derivative JR32 did not affect intracellular replication in the natural host Hartmannella vermiformis. The Lly-negative mutant, however, showed a markedly decreased resistance to ordinary light. The cloned lly gene conferred an increased resistance to light in recombinant L. pneumophila and Escherichia coli K-12, indicating a contribution of the Lly protein to ecological adaptation of Legionella species. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
