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Journal of Bacteriology, May 2008, p. 3098-3109, Vol. 190, No. 9
0021-9193/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.01709-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Functional Mapping of an Oligomeric Autotransporter Adhesin of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans{triangledown}

Chunxiao Yu,1 Teresa Ruiz,2 Christopher Lenox,1 and Keith P. Mintz1*

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics,1 Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 054052

Received 24 October 2007/ Accepted 17 February 2008

Extracellular matrix protein adhesin A (EmaA) is a 202-kDa nonfimbrial adhesin, which mediates the adhesion of the oral pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans to collagen. EmaA oligomers form surface antenna-like protrusions consisting of a long helical rod with an ellipsoidal ending. The functional analysis of in-frame emaA deletion mutants has located the collagen binding activity to the amino terminus of the protein corresponding to amino acids 70 to 386. The level of collagen binding of this deletion mutant was comparable to the emaA mutant strain. Transmission electron microscopy studies indicate that the first 330 amino acids of the mature protein form the ellipsoidal ending of the EmaA protrusions, where the activity resides. Amino acid substitution analysis within this sequence has identified a critical amino acid, which is essential for the formation of the ellipsoidal ending and for collagen binding activity.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Rm. 118, Stafford Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405. Phone: (802) 656-0712. Fax: (802) 656-8749. E-mail: Keith.Mintz{at}uvm.edu

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 29 February 2008.

Journal of Bacteriology, May 2008, p. 3098-3109, Vol. 190, No. 9
0021-9193/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.01709-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Yu, C., Mintz, K. P., Ruiz, T. (2009). Investigation of the Three-Dimensional Architecture of the Collagen Adhesin EmaA of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans by Electron Tomography. J. Bacteriol. 191: 6253-6261 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Gallant, C. V., Sedic, M., Chicoine, E. A., Ruiz, T., Mintz, K. P. (2008). Membrane Morphology and Leukotoxin Secretion Are Associated with a Novel Membrane Protein of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. J. Bacteriol. 190: 5972-5980 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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