Genetic basis for conversion of rough-to-smooth colony morphology in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Infect Immun. 2005 Jun;73(6):3749-53. doi: 10.1128/IAI.73.6.3749-3753.2005.

Abstract

The basis of the rough-to-smooth conversion of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was examined. Smooth variants often contained mutations at the flp promoter region. Replacing the mutated flp promoter with the wild-type promoter restored the rough phenotype. The expression level of the flp promoter was approximately 100-fold lower in smooth than in rough strains. Mutations of the flp promoter are a cause of the rough-to-smooth conversion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / cytology*
  • Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / genetics*
  • Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / ultrastructure
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Base Sequence
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Flp protein, bacteria