Transformation of a plasmid‐free, genital tract isolate of Chlamydia trachomatis with a plasmid vector carrying a deletion in CDS6 revealed that this gene regulates inclusion phenotype

In this study we constructed a plasmid vector with CDS6 deleted (pCDS6KO) from the original E. coli/C. trachomatis shuttle vector pGFP::SW2. pCDS6KO was transformed into a clinical isolate of C. trachomatis from Sweden which is plasmid free (C.trachomatis SWFP‐). Penicillin resistant transformants expressing the green fluorescent protein were selected. These transformants did not stain with Iodine indicating that this property is regulated by CDS6 or its gene product. In addition, mature inclusions of C. trachomatis SWFP‐ transformed by pCDS6KO displayed an identical morphological phenotype to the untransformed plasmid‐free recipient host. In this phenotype the morphology of inclusions was altered with the chlamydiae lining the periphery of the inclusion leaving a ‘hole’ in the centre. These green flourescent inclusions appear ‘donut‐shaped’ with an empty centre when examined under blue light giving rise to a characteristic ‘black hole’ phenotype. Our study demonstrates the power of the new genetic system for investigating chlamydial gene function using gene deletion technology. © 2013 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved
Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research