The identification and evaluation of ATP binding cassette systems in the intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis

• Published in: Research in microbiology Vol. 157; no. 6; pp. 593 - 604
• Main Authors: Atkins, Helen S., Dassa, Elie, Walker, Nicola J., Griffin, Kate F., Harland, David N., Taylor, Rosa R., Duffield, Melanie L., Titball, Richard W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Elsevier SAS 01.07.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: ABC; Animals; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters - genetics; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters - immunology; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters - physiology; Bacterial; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Bacterial Vaccines; Bacterial Vaccines - immunology; Bacteriology; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Transport; Female; Francisella tularensis; Francisella tularensis - genetics; Francisella tularensis - immunology; Francisella tularensis - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genome; Life Sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbiology; Miscellaneous; Phylogeny; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Vaccines, DNA; Vaccines, DNA - immunology; Bacterial; ABC; Genome; Francisella tularensis; Microbiology; Bacteria; Identification; Intracellular; ATP
• ISSN: 0923-2508; 1769-7123; 0923-2508
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2005.12.004

Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular bacterium responsible for the disease tularemia. Analysis of the fully sequenced genome of the virulent F. tularensis strain SCHU S4 has led to the identification of twenty ATP binding cassette (ABC) systems, of which five appear to be non-functional. The fifteen complete systems comprise three importers, five exporters, four systems involved in non-transport processes, and three systems of unknown or ill-defined function. The number and classification of the ABC systems in F. tularensis is similar to that observed in other intracellular bacteria, indicating that some of these systems may be important for the intracellular lifestyle of these organisms. Among the ABC systems identified in the genome are systems that may be involved in the virulence of F. tularensis SCHU S4. Six ABC system proteins were evaluated as candidate vaccine antigens against tularemia, although none provided significant protection against F. tularensis. However, a greater understanding of these systems may lead to the development of countermeasures against F. tularensis.