Structure of the Shigella dysenteriae 7 O antigen gene cluster and identification of its antigen specific genes

Microb Pathog. 2004 Feb;36(2):109-15. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2003.10.003.

Abstract

Shigella strains are human pathogens. The O antigen gene cluster of Shigella dysenteriae O7 was sequenced and analyzed. It contains genes for synthesis of nucleotide sugars including UDP-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galacturonamide, UDP-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galacturonic acid and dTDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-D-glucose. Also found in the gene cluster are genes encoding O unit flippase, O antigen polymerase and sugar transferases. The Escherichia coli O121 O antigen, which is present in an important Shiga toxin-producing strain, has the same structure as that of S. dysenteriae O7, and we found that the gene clusters also had the same genes and organization. Four genes specific to S. dysenteriae O7 and E. coli O121 were identified by PCR screening against representatives of 186 E. coli (including Shigella) O serotypes. E. coli O121 and S. dysenteriae O7 isolates can be distinguished by PCR of the H antigen fliC gene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Deoxy Sugars / biosynthesis
  • Flagellin / genetics
  • Gene Order
  • Genes, Bacterial / genetics
  • Genes, Bacterial / physiology
  • Hexosyltransferases / genetics
  • Hexosyltransferases / physiology
  • Hexuronic Acids / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family / genetics
  • O Antigens / genetics*
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Serotyping
  • Shigella dysenteriae / genetics*
  • Shigella dysenteriae / immunology*
  • Thymine Nucleotides / biosynthesis
  • Transferases / genetics
  • Transferases / physiology
  • Uridine Diphosphate Sugars / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Deoxy Sugars
  • Hexuronic Acids
  • Membrane Proteins
  • O Antigens
  • O-antigen, E.coli O121
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins
  • Thymine Nucleotides
  • Uridine Diphosphate Sugars
  • dTDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-glucose
  • UDP-2-acetamido-2-deoxygalacturonic acid
  • Flagellin
  • 2-acetamido-2-deoxygalacturonamide
  • Transferases
  • Hexosyltransferases
  • O-antigen polymerase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY380835
  • GENBANK/AY380836