Identification and characterization of a brilliant yellow pigment produced by Bordetella pertussis

ABSTRACT Culture supernatant of Bordetella pertussis has a brilliant yellow color; however, the structure and biological role of the pigment have not been investigated. We extracted the brilliant yellow‐colored fraction from the culture supernatant of B. pertussis and analyzed it by HPLC. UV‐visible spectral analysis and mass spectrometry identified the brilliant yellow pigment as riboflavin. Riboflavin production was high in lag and early log phases and riboflavin enhanced the growth of B. pertussis in low‐density cultures. Riboflavin production was not regulated by the BvgAS system. In addition, we also found that other Bordetella species such as B. parapertussis, B. holmesii and B. bronchiseptica also released riboflavin into their culture supernatants.This is the first observation that B. pertussis secrets riboflavin to the extracellular space and the riboflavin could promote the growth of itself. The mechanism might be associated with pathogenesis of B. pertussis.
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research