The HP0256 gene product is involved in motility and cell envelope architecture of Helicobacter pylori
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Published Version
Date
2010-04-08
Authors
Douillard, François P.
Ryan, Kieran A.
Lane, Michael C.
Caly, Delphine L.
Moore, Stanley A.
Penn, Charles W.
Hinds, Jason
O'Toole, Paul W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published Version
Abstract
Background: Helicobacter pylori is the causative agent for gastritis, and peptic and duodenal ulcers. The bacterium
displays 5-6 polar sheathed flagella that are essential for colonisation and persistence in the gastric mucosa. The
biochemistry and genetics of flagellar biogenesis in H. pylori has not been fully elucidated. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the gene HP0256, annotated as hypothetical, was a FliJ homologue. In Salmonella, FliJ is a chaperone escort protein for FlgN and FliT, two proteins that themselves display chaperone activity for components of the hook, the rod and the filament.
Results: Ablation of the HP0256 gene in H. pylori significantly reduced motility. However, flagellin and hook protein synthesis was not affected in the HP0256 mutant. Transmission electron transmission microscopy revealed that the HP0256 mutant cells displayed a normal flagellum configuration, suggesting that HP0256 was not essential for
assembly and polar localisation of the flagella in the cell. Interestingly, whole genome microarrays of an HP0256
mutant revealed transcriptional changes in a number of genes associated with the flagellar regulon and the cell
envelope, such as outer membrane proteins and adhesins. Consistent with the array data, lack of the HP0256 gene
significantly reduced adhesion and the inflammatory response in host cells.
Conclusions: We conclude that HP0256 is not a functional counterpart of FliJ in H. pylori. However, it is required for full motility and it is involved, possibly indirectly, in expression of outer membrane proteins and adhesins involved in pathogenesis and adhesion.
Description
Keywords
Helicobacter pylori , HP0256 , FliJ , Gastritis , Ulcer , Salmonella , Cell envelope architecture
Citation
Douillard, F.P., K. A. Ryan, M. C. Lane, D.L. Caly, S. A. Moore, C. W. Penn, J. Hinds, and P. W. O’Toole. (2010). The HP0256 gene product is involved in motility and cell envelope architecture of Helicobacter pylori.
BMC Microbiology, 10:106 doi:10.1186/1471-2180-10-106