IDENTIFICATION OF SODC ENCODING PERIPLASMIC [CU,ZN]-SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE IN SALMONELLA

sodC, encoding [Cu,Zn]-cofactored superoxide dismutase, once thought t o be virtually confined to eukaryotes, has now been described in many Gram-negative pathogens that have their primary niche of colonization in the upper respiratory tract. Their role in host-parasite interactiv e biology is unknown. We here show that members of the major human and animal enteric pathogenic species Salmonella harbour a version of sod C most closely resembling that found in Brucella abortus. The enzyme i t encodes is a novel candidate determinant of virulence in Salmonella, an intracellular pathogen potentially exposed to toxic oxygen free ra dicals within its intracellular niche.