Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia strains that secrete three different ex
otoxins (ApxI, ApxII, and ApxIII) have been implicated in the etiology
of porcine pleuropneumonia. To understand the role of these toxins in
the pathogenesis of this disease, we have previously reported the clo
ning of the hemolysin gene (apxII) (Chang et al., 1989a), which encode
s a 110-kD polypeptide with hemolytic and cytotoxic activity. To clone
the third toxin gene (apxIII), a new genomic library using A. pleurop
neumoniae serotype 2 chromosomal DNA was constructed. A series of five
overlapping recombinant phage clones carrying the gene (aPXIII) for t
his 120-kD antigen were identified using a DNA probe containing sequen
ces from the Pasteurella haemolytica lktBD genes. Sequence analysis of
a region of the cloned DNA reveals four open reading frames encoding
proteins with predicted masses of 20.4, 112.5, 80.3, and 54.7 kD. Thes
e genes, designated apxIIC, apxIIIA, apxIIIB, and apxIIID, respectivel
y, are similar in sequence to the RTX (repeat of toxin) toxin family.
The toxin produced by the cloned gene kills BL-3 cells and is not hemo
lytic in vitro.