Phase variable restriction-modification systems in Moraxella catarrhalis.

Kate L Seib; Ian R A Peak; Michael P Jennings

doi:10.1111/j.1574-695x.2002.tb00548.x

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Phase variable restriction-modification systems in Moraxella catarrhalis.

Kate L Seib·Ian R A Peak·Michael P Jennings

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Abstract

A repetitive DNA motif was used as a marker to identify novel genes in the mucosal pathogen Moraxella catarrhalis. There is a high prevalence of such repetitive motifs in virulence genes that display phase variable expression. Two repeat containing loci were identified using a digoxigenin-labelled 5'-(CAAC)6-3' oligonucleotide probe. The repeats are located in the methylase components of two distinct type III restriction-modification (R-M) systems. We suggest that the phase variable nature of these R-M systems indicates that they have an important role in the biology of M. catarrhalis.

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Base Sequence DNA Modification Methylases DNA Restriction Enzymes DNA, Bacterial Humans Microsatellite Repeats Molecular Sequence Data Moraxella catarrhalis Neisseriaceae Infections Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Kate L Seib, Ian R A Peak, Michael P Jennings. 2002-01-14. Phase variable restriction-modification systems in Moraxella catarrhalis.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-695x.2002.tb00548.x

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