Genetic evidence that the outer membrane protein YOP1 of Yersinia enterocolitica mediates adherence and phagocytosis resistance to human epithelial cells

• Published in: FEMS microbiology letters 1987-01, Vol.40 (1), p.37-41
• Main Authors: Heesemann, Jürgen, Grüter, Ludwig
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; cell adhesion; epithelium; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; man; Microbiology; Outer membrane protein; outer membranes; Pathogenicity, virulence, toxins, bacteriocins, pyrogens, host-bacteria relations, miscellaneous strains; phagocytosis; Phagocytosis resistance; proteins; Yersinia enterocolitica
• ISSN: 0378-1097; 1574-6968
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1987.tb01978.x

We studied the role of Yersinia enterocolitica outer membrane protein YOP1 in adherence and phagocytosis resistance to the human epithelial cell line, HEp‐2. A 5.2‐kb DNA fragment of the plasmid of Y. enterocolitica, serotype O : 9, which encodes a 225‐kDa outer membrane protein (YOP1), was cloned into the mobilisable vector pRK290B. After introduction of the recombinant plasmid into a non‐adherent Y. enterocolitica strain of serotype O : 5, the resulting transconjugant acquired adherence and phagocytosis resistance properties to HEp‐2 cells. Furthermore, the plasmidless Y. enterocolitica strain of serotype O : 9 which is rapidly phagocytosed by HEp‐2 cells also became phagocytosis‐resistant after receipt of the YOP1‐encoding plasmid. These results indicate that YOP1 mediates cell adherence and phagocytosis resistance to HEp‐2 cells.