Expression by Lawsonia intracellularis of type III secretion system components during infection

Alberdi, M.P., Watson, E., McAllister, G.E.M., Harris, J.D., Paxton, E.A., Thomson, J.R. and Smith, D.G.E. (2009) Expression by Lawsonia intracellularis of type III secretion system components during infection. Veterinary Microbiology, 139(3-4), pp. 298-303. (doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.06.022) (PMID:19589649)

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Abstract

Contact-dependent secretion systems, such as the type 111 secretion system (T3SS), have been shown to play significant roles in the pathogenicity of many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Lawsonia intracellularis is a novel, obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium, which has been identified as the etiological agent of proliferative enteropathies in numerous animal species. Analysis of the genome sequence of the L intracellularis strain PHE/MN1-00 has revealed the presence of a T3SS secretion system in this bacterium. In this study we aimed to determine whether this important virulence mechanism is also present in L intracellularis strain LR189/5/83. Using a PCR-based approach, we verified the presence of a genomic region encoding a T3SS. Specifically, a gene highly homologous to the yscN energiser component of the prototypic T3SS of Yersinia spp. was identified and termed lscN. Two further open reading frames (ORFs) contiguous with lscN were also identified: lscO and lscQ, which are also homologues of ORFs within the T3SS of Yersinia spp. To establish whether this T3SS may be functional, expression was monitored directly by RT-PCR and indirectly by detection of serological responses in vaccinated and infected animals. Transcripts for lscN and lscQ were detected and purified rLscQ was recognized by antiserum from infected pigs, indicating expression in vivo during infection. By analogy to other bacteria, this T3SS may be crucial for intracellular development and is likely to play a significant role in the virulence of this unusual pathogen.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Alberdi, Dr Maria and Smith, Professor David
Authors: Alberdi, M.P., Watson, E., McAllister, G.E.M., Harris, J.D., Paxton, E.A., Thomson, J.R., and Smith, D.G.E.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Veterinary Microbiology
ISSN:0378-1135
ISSN (Online):1873-2542

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
378901Molecular and functional characterisation of a type III secretion system (TTSS) of the obligate intracellular bacterium Lawsonia ....David SmithBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/C510532/1Infection Immunity and Inflammation Life Sciences