Transcriptional expression of fljB:z66, a flagellin gene located on a novel linear plasmid of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi under environmental stresses

New Microbiol. 2008 Apr;31(2):241-7.

Abstract

A previous study identified that z66+ strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi contains two different flagellin genes, the fliC encoding d or j antigen in chromosome and the fljB-like gene encoding z66 antigen in a novel linear plasmid, respectively. The promoter of fljB:z66 is different from that of fliC:d/j and z66+ strain alters flagellin expression in only one orientation, from z66 to d orj antigen, raising the suspicion that z66+ strain is a special biphasic strain. To clarify the expressional characteristics of flagellin genes of z66+ strain, expression patterns of fljB:z66 and fliC were investigated by RT-PCR under a series of environmental stresses during infection, such as acidic stress, osmotic stress, bile acid stress and oxidative stress. Results showed that the expression level of fljB:z66 is over 10-fold higher than the level of fliC in low and middle osmotic conditions before stresses. Only the expressional regulatory tendency of fljB:z66 in response to bile acid stress is similar to that of fliC. Differential expressional patterns between fljB:z66 and fliC of S. enterica serovar Typhi were seen under osmotic stress, bile acid stress and oxidative stress. These results support the hypothesis that the z66+ strain is a special biphasic strain of S. enterica serovar Typhi.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
  • Bile Acids and Salts / toxicity
  • Flagellin / biosynthesis*
  • Flagellin / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Osmotic Pressure
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Plasmids*
  • RNA, Bacterial / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Salmonella typhi / drug effects
  • Salmonella typhi / genetics*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • FljB protein, Salmonella
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Messenger
  • z66 antigen, Salmonella enterica
  • Flagellin