Phase variable restriction-modification systems in Moraxella catarrhalis |
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Authors: | Seib Kate L Peak Ian R A Jennings Michael P |
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Affiliation: | Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia. |
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Abstract: | A repetitive DNA motif was used as a marker to identify novel genes in the mucosal pathogen Moraxella catarrhalis. There is a high prevalence of such repetitive motifs in virulence genes that display phase variable expression. Two repeat containing loci were identified using a digoxigenin-labelled 5'-(CAAC)6-3' oligonucleotide probe. The repeats are located in the methylase components of two distinct type III restriction-modification (R-M) systems. We suggest that the phase variable nature of these R-M systems indicates that they have an important role in the biology of M. catarrhalis. |
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Keywords: | Moraxella catarrhalis Type III restriction–modification system Phase variation |
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