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A Cuzzoni

Publications and source records attributed to A Cuzzoni.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

A Bacillus subtilis large ORF coding for a polypeptide highly similar to polyketide synthases.

The nucleotide (nt) sequence of 13.6 kb of the outG locus of Bacillus subtilis, which maps at approximately 155 degrees between the genetic markers nrdA and polC, was determined. One putative coding sequence was identified corresponding to a large polypeptide of 4427 amino acids (aa). Structural organization at the nt and aa sequence level and extensive similarities of the deduced product, especially to EryA, suggest that the locus is potentially responsible for the synthesis of a polyketide molecule. The locus has been renamed pksX. Comparison of the deduced product with known fatty acid and polyketide synthases (PKS) suggested the presence of beta-ketosynthase, dehydratase, beta-ketoreductase and acyl-carrier protein domains. Preliminary data obtained with deletion mutants indicate that pksX is not an essential gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Expression of Bordetella pertussis fimbrial (fim) genes in Bordetella bronchiseptica: fimX is expressed at a low level and vir-regulated.

To identify the elements involved in Bordetella pertussis fimbriae regulation and to determine whether fimX is an expressed gene, the promoter regions of fimX, fim2 and fim3 from strain BPSA1 were isolated and linked to the promoterless CAT gene in pLAFR2. By following CAT activity in Bordetella bronchiseptica vir+ and vir- strains we established that the fimX promoter, like those for fim2 and fim3, is active, although at a low level, and vir-regulated. This suggests that the fimX protein might be produced in minute quantities which are not detectable by conventional methods. Comparison of the three fim promoter sequences and transcriptional activities identifies two conserved elements necessary for transcription in the -60 to -20 region: the 'fim box' and the 'C-stretch'. Mutations in these two sequences drastically reduce transcription and alter the interaction with vir components, suggesting a role for the two elements in the regulation of fim genes. Finally, we suggest that the apparent constitutive nature of fim3 in BPSA1 is due to a modification in the length of the 'C-stretch'.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Bordetella pertussis pilin and pilin-like genes.

Bordetella pertussis fimbriae, which mediate the adherence of the microorganism to the epithelium of the respiratory tract, elicit a protective immunogenic response which could be taken advantage of for the creation of an acellular vaccine against pertussis. A few of the fimbrial proteins have been partially characterized by immunological means which recently the cloning and characterization of pilin and pilin-like genes are allowing us to study their structure, regulation of expression during the infectious cycle of Bordetella pertussis, and the basis for antigenic variation. In this communication we will review recent data on Bordetella pertussis pilin and pilin-like genes and their products, with particular emphasis on data most relevant to the design of an acellular vaccine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗