Identification of a novel gene, pilZ, essential for type 4 fimbrial biogenesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• DOI: 10.1128/jb.178.1.46-53.1996
• Publication Date: 2016-11-14T10:49:13Z
• Authors: R A Alm; A J Bodero; P D Free; J S Mattick
• Keywords: Transposon mutagenesis; Gene cluster

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces type 4 fimbriae which promote adhesion to epithelial cells and are associated with a form of surface translocation called twitching motility. We have used transposon mutagenesis identify loci required for fimbrial assembly or function by screening mutants that lack the spreading colony morphology characteristic A subset these is resistant fimbria-specific phage. One (R270) was found contain insertion in new gene, termed pilZ, located on chromosomal SpeI fragment I at about 40 min P. map, position remote from other involved biogenesis. pilZ appears be linked possibly forms an operon holB*, homologous gene encoding delta' subunit Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III. product protein 118 amino acids (predicted molecular weight, 12,895) probably has cytoplasmic location. PilZ class not hitherto been represented sequence databases, its unknown. Complementation studies indicate able restore expression aeruginosa, as well motility sensitivity phage when provided trans R270 mutant.