Role of flagella in virulence of the coral pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2009 Sep;75(17):5704-7. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00198-09. Epub 2009 Jul 10.

Abstract

A recently available transposition system was utilized to isolate a nonmotile mutant of the coral-bleaching pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus. The mutation was localized to the fhlA gene, and the mutant lacked flagella. The flhA mutant was unable to exhibit chemotaxis toward coral mucus or to adhere to corals and subsequently cause infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthozoa / microbiology*
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Flagella / genetics
  • Flagella / physiology*
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Gene Order
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Locomotion
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional / methods
  • Vibrio / pathogenicity*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements