Identification of specific outer membrane polypeptides associated with virulent Yersinia enterocolitica

Abstract

An antiserum (WA-SAA) that agglutinates specifically with mouse virulent but not avirulent strains of Yersinia enterocolitica was used to identify virulence-associated factors by Western blot techniques. Several outer membrane polypeptides were identified only in the virulent strains, which included serotypes 0:8, 0:3, 0:9, 0:4,32, 0:5,27, and 0:21. These included three, and possibly four, major outer membrane polypeptides. The prominent high-molecular-weight species was demonstrated by both sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot, whereas the others were only revealed by the Western blot technique. Expression of these polypeptides correlated with antiserum agglutination reaction and the presence of a 42-and/or 82-megadalton plasmid. These polypeptides were highly temperature dependent and only slightly affected by the inclusion of 10 mM Ca>2 in the growth medium. These polypeptides were produced during both the logarithmic and stationary phases of growth at 37°C. We suggest that the production of these specific polypeptides and calcium dependency may be coded for by the plasmid(s) but are regulated by independent mechanisms. These polypeptides appear to be novel markers specific for virulent strains of Y. enterocolitica and may be important to the pathogenicity of this organism.Yersinia enterocolotica causes a variety of infections in humans, including enterocolitis, acute mesenteric lymphadenitis, terminal ileitis, and occasional septicemia (4,16). Although ubiquitous in the environment, only certain biochemical and serological types are consistently shown to be pathogenic in humans. We have therefore developed a method utilizing a specific antiserum that is diagnostic in identifying virulent strains of this organism (8). This antiserum, WA-SAA, agglutinates with virulent isolates of Y.

Inhibition of human neutrophil chemiluminescence by plasmid-mediated outer membrane proteins of Yersinia enterocolitica

“…The CL response to culture MCH700S-37°C was fourto sixfold lower than the responses observed for the other cultures. This suggested that the depression of the PMN CL response was mediated by a plasmid-mediated determinant(s), since temperature inducibility is one of the characteristics of plasmid-mediated properties in Y. enterocolitica (4,13,30,37). The temperature inducibility of the CL-depressing property in the plasmid-bearing strain was further demonstrated in temperature shift experiments.…”

“…Since the discovery of a 42-to 48-megadalton plasmid in Yersinia enterocolitica that is associated with virulence in experimental infections (18,37,45), attention has been focused on the characterization of plasmid-mediated determinants and their role in pathogenesis. The in vitro properties of plasmid-bearing strains include calcium dependence (18,34,36), V-and W-antigen production (12,34), autoagglutination (28,40), toxicity for tissue culture cells (37,44), altered outer membrane proteins (OMP) (4,13,30,37,38), and serum resistance (32,34). The plasmid-mediated properties are expressed at 37°C but not at 25°C.…”

“…After invasion, the organism can presumably resist the natural defenses of the host to establish infection in the Peyer's patches and lamina propria (11,33,42). Recent studies have demonstrated that altered cell surface properties, such as unique OMP (4,13,30,37,38,40) and hydrophobic fibrillar structure (23,26), are the characteristics of Y. enterocolitica which express plasmid-mediated determinants. Attachment to the intestinal epithelial cells or invasion of these cells or both may be promoted by these plasmid-mediated cell surface properties (22,30,44).…”

Plasmid-mediated resistance to phagocytosis in Yersinia enterocolitica

“…The virulence of Yersinia enterocolitica is associated with the presence of a 42-to 48-megadalton plasmid (9,27,28,37). Various plasmid-associated properties are expresed in vitro at 37°C, including novel outer mnembrane proteins (4,7,20,28,29) and fibril structure (15). However, the role of plasmid-encoded determinant(s) in pathogenesis is yet to be elucidated.…”

Temperature-inducible surface fibrillae associated with the virulence plasmid of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

“…Virulent strains of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, unlike their avirulent mutants, produce a series of ancillary outer membrane proteins (OMPs) (1,2,6,21,27,28,31), which are at least partly externally exposed on the bacterial surface (21). The phenotypic expression of these OMPs is temperature regulated; bacteria cultivated at 22 to 25°C do not produce detectable amounts of the OMPs, whereas large quantities are synthesized at 35 to 37°C (1,6,21,28). The genetic information coding for production of the OMPs is provided by a virulence plasmid of 40 to 48 megadaltons (Mdal) (2,28), which plays an essential role in the infectious process of Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, and Yersinia pestis (10,12,13,26,28).…”