The Legionella pneumophila hel locus encodes intracellularly induced homologs of heavy-metal ion transporters of Alcaligenes spp

Infect Immun. 1996 May;64(5):1532-40. doi: 10.1128/iai.64.5.1532-1540.1996.

Abstract

We continued characterization of the Legionella pneumophila hel locus. Mutagenesis and DNA sequencing identified three genes similar to the czc and cnr loci of Alcaligenes eutrophus and the ncc locus of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans. On the basis of their similarity to these loci, we designated the L. pneumophila genes helC, helB, and helA. Mutations in the hel genes led to reduced cytopathicity towards U937 cells, although the mutant strains did not appear defective in other assays of virulence. Transcription of the hel locus was induced by the intracellular environment but was not induced by any of a variety of in vitro stress conditions. The function of the hel gene products remains to be determined.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alcaligenes / genetics*
  • Alcaligenes / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Ion Transport
  • Legionella pneumophila / genetics*
  • Legionella pneumophila / metabolism
  • Legionella pneumophila / pathogenicity
  • Metals / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Species Specificity
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Hel protein, Legionella pneumophila
  • Metals

Associated data

  • GENBANK/U49497
  • GENBANK/U49498