The response to a specific germinant by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus anthracis</Emphasis> spores in primary mouse macrophages is modulated by a protein encoded on the pXO1 plasmid |
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Authors: | Arthur I Aronson Haijing Hu |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;(2) Present address: NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA |
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Abstract: | A Bacillus anthracis Sterne pXO1 plasmid-encoded protein designated Cot43 was found in coat extracts of purified spores. Cot43 is a tetratricopeptide
repeat domain protein related to those which function as phosphatases in the sporulation phosphorelay and as regulators of
competence and pathogenic factors. The synthesis of Cot43 began in the late exponential phase downstream from a sigmaA promoter
(as mapped by RACE) and it was present at least until the formation of phase white endospores. There was specificity in the
association of Cot43 with B. anthracis spores since Bacillus
cereus producing Cot43 from a cloned gene had very little of this protein in spore coat extracts. In addition, Cot43 was synthesized
by B. anthracis cells to the same extent in glucose-yeast extract and nutrient sporulation media, but was essentially absent from spores
formed in the former. l-histidine is an important germinant for B. anthracis spores in macrophages, Spores produced by a mutant with a disruption of cot43 germinated in response to l-histidine both in vitro and within primary mouse macrophages earlier and more extensively than Sterne strain spores. The
germination delay due to the presence of Cot43 would enhance spore survival and thus increase the chances for a successful
infection.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. |
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Keywords: | Spores Germination Bacillus anthracis Plasmid Macrophage |
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