Conjugative transfer by the virulence system of Legionella pneumophila

J P Vogel; H L Andrews; S K Wong; R R Isberg

doi:10.1126/science.279.5352.873

Conjugative transfer by the virulence system of Legionella pneumophila

Science. 1998 Feb 6;279(5352):873-6. doi: 10.1126/science.279.5352.873.

Authors

J P Vogel¹, H L Andrews, S K Wong, R R Isberg

Affiliation

¹ Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.

PMID: 9452389
DOI: 10.1126/science.279.5352.873

Abstract

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' pneumonia, replicates within alveolar macrophages by preventing phagosome-lysosome fusion. Here, a large number of mutants called dot (defective for organelle trafficking) that were unable to replicate intracellularly because of an inability of the bacteria to alter the endocytic pathway of macrophages were isolated. The dot virulence genes encoded a large putative membrane complex that functioned as a secretion system that was able to transfer plasmid DNA from one cell to another.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antigens, CD / analysis
Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
Bacterial Proteins / physiology
Conjugation, Genetic*
Endocytosis
Escherichia coli / genetics
Genes, Bacterial
Humans
Legionella pneumophila / genetics*
Legionella pneumophila / growth & development
Legionella pneumophila / pathogenicity*
Lysosomal Membrane Proteins
Lysosomes / physiology
Macrophages, Alveolar / microbiology*
Membrane Glycoproteins / analysis
Molecular Sequence Data
Mutation
Phagosomes / physiology
Plasmids
Sequence Deletion
Tumor Cells, Cultured
Virulence

Substances

Antigens, CD
Bacterial Proteins
Lysosomal Membrane Proteins
Membrane Glycoproteins

Associated data

GENBANK/AF026533
GENBANK/AF026534