Filamentous phages linked to virulence of Vibrio cholerae. 2003

Brigid M Davis, and Matthew K Waldor
Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts-New England Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA. bdavis01@emerald.tufts.edu

The pathogenicity of Vibrio cholerae depends upon its production of two key virulence factors: the toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP), a colonization factor, and cholera toxin, an exotoxin. Genes encoding both virulence factors were introduced into V. cholerae by horizontal gene transfer. The toxin genes are contained within the genome of CTXphi, an integrated filamentous phage identified in 1996. In the past few years, it has been shown that CTXphi relies on novel processes for phage DNA integration, replication and secretion. In addition, expression of CTXphi genes--including the toxin genes--and transmission of CTXphi were recently found to be promoted by the antirepressor RstC, which is encoded within RS1, a newly described satellite phage of CTXphi. The genetic island that encodes TCP has also been described as a filamentous phage; however, these sequences are unlike the genome of any previously characterized filamentous phage.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008957 Models, Genetic Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of genetic processes or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Genetic Models,Genetic Model,Model, Genetic
D010957 Plasmids Extrachromosomal, usually CIRCULAR DNA molecules that are self-replicating and transferable from one organism to another. They are found in a variety of bacterial, archaeal, fungal, algal, and plant species. They are used in GENETIC ENGINEERING as CLONING VECTORS. Episomes,Episome,Plasmid
D002771 Cholera An acute diarrheal disease endemic in India and Southeast Asia whose causative agent is VIBRIO CHOLERAE. This condition can lead to severe dehydration in a matter of hours unless quickly treated. Vibrio cholerae Infection,Choleras,Infection, Vibrio cholerae,Infections, Vibrio cholerae,Vibrio cholerae Infections
D002772 Cholera Toxin An ENTEROTOXIN from VIBRIO CHOLERAE. It consists of two major protomers, the heavy (H) or A subunit and the B protomer which consists of 5 light (L) or B subunits. The catalytic A subunit is proteolytically cleaved into fragments A1 and A2. The A1 fragment is a MONO(ADP-RIBOSE) TRANSFERASE. The B protomer binds cholera toxin to intestinal epithelial cells and facilitates the uptake of the A1 fragment. The A1 catalyzed transfer of ADP-RIBOSE to the alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G PROTEINS activates the production of CYCLIC AMP. Increased levels of cyclic AMP are thought to modulate release of fluid and electrolytes from intestinal crypt cells. Cholera Toxin A,Cholera Toxin B,Cholera Toxin Protomer A,Cholera Toxin Protomer B,Cholera Toxin Subunit A,Cholera Toxin Subunit B,Choleragen,Choleragenoid,Cholera Enterotoxin CT,Cholera Exotoxin,Cholera Toxin A Subunit,Cholera Toxin B Subunit,Procholeragenoid,Enterotoxin CT, Cholera,Exotoxin, Cholera,Toxin A, Cholera,Toxin B, Cholera,Toxin, Cholera
D004247 DNA A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine). DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D005814 Genes, Viral The functional hereditary units of VIRUSES. Viral Genes,Gene, Viral,Viral Gene
D014734 Vibrio cholerae The etiologic agent of CHOLERA. Bacillus cholerae,Bacillus cholerae-asiaticae,Liquidivibrio cholerae,Microspira comma,Pacinia cholerae-asiaticae,Spirillum cholerae,Spirillum cholerae-asiaticae,Vibrio albensis,Vibrio cholera,Vibrio cholerae-asiaticae,Vibrio comma
D014774 Virulence The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of microorganisms or viruses as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. The pathogenic capacity of an organism is determined by its VIRULENCE FACTORS. Pathogenicity
D017912 Inovirus A genus of filamentous bacteriophages of the family INOVIRIDAE. Organisms of this genus infect enterobacteria, PSEUDOMONAS; VIBRIO; and XANTHOMONAS. Bacteriophages, Filamentous,Filamentous Bacteriophages,Bacteriophage, Filamentous,Filamentous Bacteriophage,Inoviruses
D019143 Evolution, Molecular The process of cumulative change at the level of DNA; RNA; and PROTEINS, over successive generations. Molecular Evolution,Genetic Evolution,Evolution, Genetic

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