Survival protein A is essential for virulence in Yersinia pestis. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Southern, Stephanie J.; Scott, Andrew E.; Jenner, Dominic C.; Ireland, Philip M.; Norville, Isobel H.; Sarkar-Tyson, Mitali
• Is Part Of: Microbial pathogenesis. Volume 92(2016)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Yersinia pestis -- Mutant -- Virulence; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- parasitology -- Periodicals; Micro-organismes pathogènes -- Périodiques; Pathologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.12.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4010

Abstract

Abstract: Plague is a highly pathogenic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis . There is currently no vaccine available for prophylaxis and antibiotic resistant strains have been isolated, thus there is a need for the development of new countermeasures to treat this disease. Survival protein A (SurA) is a chaperone that has been linked to virulence in several species of bacteria, including the close relative Yersinia pseudotuberculosis . In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of SurA in virulence of the highly pathogenic Y. pestis by creating an unmarked surA deletion mutant. The Y. pestis Δ surA mutant was found to be more susceptible to membrane perturbing agents and was completely avirulent in a mouse infection model when delivered up to 2.1 × 10 5 CFU by the subcutaneous route. This provides strong evidence that SurA would make a promising antimicrobial target. Highlights: This study evaluates the role of SurA in Yersinia pestis. Deletion of the surA gene has an effect on the cell envelope. A surA mutant is avirulent in a Y. pestis mouse infection model.