1887

Abstract

A flagellar gene cluster from the oral spirochaete ATCC 51939 was cloned. Sequence analysis revealed six putative ORFs, two of which encode the flagellar subunit proteins FlaB2 (286 aa) and FlaB3 (285 aa). Northern blot analysis revealed two flagellin transcripts with the expected size of monocistronic mRNAs. Sequence analysis and primer extension experiments indicated that the transcription of the gene is directed by a σ-like FliA factor. Using and K-12 strains, it was shown that expression in required the σ factor using an initiation site identical to that in . Primer extension analysis revealed two transcriptional start sites 5′ of the gene, a strong promoter with a σ-like −10 promoter element and a weak promoter with a putative σ promoter consensus sequence. Downstream of , a putative homologue was found, probably encoding the flagellar cap protein of . Flagellin-gene-specific DNA probes hybridized to all 13 strains investigated, whereas a -specific DNA probe only hybridized to , other treponemal group IV isolates and .

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2000-02-01
2024-05-14
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