Distribution and Polymorphism of the Flagellin Genes from Isolates of Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni
Abstract
The complex flagellar filaments of the L108 serogroup member Campylobacter coli VC167 are composed of two highly related subunit proteins encoded by the fla4 and flaB genes which share 92% identity. Using oligonucleotide primers based on the known DNA sequence of both the flaA and Bflab genes from C. coli VC167 in the polymerase chain reaction, we have shown conservation of both fla genes among isolates within the LI08 beat-labile serogroup by digestion of the amplified product with Pstl and EcoRI restriction endonucleases. Amplification and subsequent restriction analysis of the flaA flagellin gene from Campylobacter isolates belonging to 13 different LIO serogroups further identified 10 unique polymorphic groups. Within most of the serogroups examined, isolates appeared to contain flaA genes with conserved primary structures. Only in serogroups L1011 and LI029 did independent isolates possess flagellin genes with different primary structures. Furthermore, by employing primers specific for the flaB gene of C coli VC167, all serogroups examined contained a second fla gene corresponding to flaB. In all serogroups except the L105 and L106 isolates which were identical to each other, the polymorphic pattern of this flaB gene was identical to that of the corresponding flaA gene. These data indicate that the presence of a second highly homologous flagellin gene is widespread throughout Campylobacter isolates and that in most instances, the primary structure of the two fla genes is conserved within isolates belonging to the same beat-labile LIO serogroup. This may represent the presence of clonal evolutionary groups in Campylobacter spp.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA268308
Entities
People
- Patricia Guerry
- Richard A. Alm
- Trevor J. Trust
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center