| Title | Genetic Characterization of the Escherichia coli O66 Antigen and Functional Identification of its wzy Gene |
|---|---|
| Author | Jiansong Cheng1,2, Bin Liu1,2, David A. Bastin3, Weiqing Han1,2, Lei Wang1,2,3, and Lu Feng1,2* |
| Address | 1TEDA School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, 23# Hong Da Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China, 2Tianjin Key Laboratory of Microbial Functional Genomics, TEDA College, Nankai University, 23# Hong Da Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China, 3Tianjin Biochip Technology Corporation, 23 HongDa Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China |
| Bibliography | Journal of Microbiology, 45(1),69-74, 2007, |
| DOI | |
| Key Words | Escherichia coli O-antigen gene cluster, PCR typing, molecular evolution, O-antigen polymerase gene (wzy) |
| Abstract | Escherichia coli is a clonal species, and occurs as both commensal and pathogenic strains, which are normally classified on the basis of their O, H, and K antigens. The O-antigen (O-specific polysaccharide), which consists of a series of oligosaccharide (O-unit) repeats, contributes major antigenic variability to the cell surface. The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O66 was sequenced in this study. The genes putatively responsible for the biosynthesis of dTDP-6-deoxy-L-talose and GDP-mannose, as well as those responsible for the transfer of sugars and for O-unit processing were identified based on their homology. The function of the wzy gene was confirmed by the results of a mutation test. Genes specific for E. coli O66 were identified via PCR screening against representatives of 186 E. coli and Shigella O type strains. The comparison of intergenic sequences located between galF and the O-antigen gene cluster in a range of E. coli and Shigella showed that this region may perform an important function in the homologous recombination of the O-antigen gene clusters. |
| Download PDF | JM45(1)-13.pdf |