The pla gene, encoding plasminogen activator, is not specific to Yersinia pestis

BMC Res Notes. 2015 Oct 5:8:535. doi: 10.1186/s13104-015-1525-x.

Abstract

Here we present evidence to show that the pla gene, previously thought to be specific to Yersinia pestis, occurs in some strains of Citrobacter koseri and Escherichia coli. This means that detection of this gene on its own can no longer be taken as evidence of detection of Y. pestis.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Archaeology
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Citrobacter koseri / genetics*
  • Conserved Sequence*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Fossils / microbiology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmids / chemistry
  • Plasminogen Activators / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Yersinia pestis / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Pla protease, Yersinia pestis
  • Plasminogen Activators