Identification of Tn10 insertions in the rfaG, rfaP, and galU genes involved in lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis that affect Escherichia coli adhesion

P Genevaux; P Bauda; M S DuBow; B Oudega

doi:10.1007/s002030050732

Identification of Tn10 insertions in the rfaG, rfaP, and galU genes involved in lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis that affect Escherichia coli adhesion

Arch Microbiol. 1999 Jul;172(1):1-8. doi: 10.1007/s002030050732.

Authors

P Genevaux¹, P Bauda, M S DuBow, B Oudega

Affiliation

¹ Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Free University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. pierre@bio.vu.nl

PMID: 10398745
DOI: 10.1007/s002030050732

Abstract

Escherichia coli was used as a model to study initial adhesion and early biofilm development to abiotic surface. Tn10 insertion mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 W3110 were selected for altered abilities to adhere to a polystyrene surface. Seven insertion mutants that showed a decrease in adhesion harbored insertions in genes involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core biosynthesis. Two insertions were located in the rfaG gene, two in the rfaP gene, and three in the galU gene. These adhesion mutants were found to exhibit a deep-rough phenotype and to be reduced, at different levels, in type 1 fimbriae production and motility. The loss of adhesion exhibited by these mutants was associated with either the affected type 1 fimbriae production and/or the dysfunctional motility. Apart from the pleiotropic effect of the mutations affecting LPS on type 1 fimbriae and flagella biosynthesis, no evidence for an involvement of the LPS itself in adhesion to polystyrene surface could be observed.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bacterial Adhesion / genetics*
Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
Base Sequence
Biofilms / growth & development
Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
Escherichia coli / genetics*
Escherichia coli / physiology
Escherichia coli Proteins*
Fimbriae, Bacterial / genetics
Fimbriae, Bacterial / metabolism
Flagella / genetics
Flagella / metabolism
Genes, Bacterial / genetics*
Glucosyltransferases / genetics*
Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism*
Molecular Sequence Data
Mutagenesis, Insertional
Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)*
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Silver Staining
UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase / genetics*

Substances

Bacterial Proteins
Escherichia coli Proteins
Lipopolysaccharides
Glucosyltransferases
WaaG protein, E coli
Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
WaaP protein, E coli
UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase
galU protein, E coli

Associated data

GENBANK/M80599
GENBANK/M98830