Actin degradation concomitant with Fusobacterium necrophorum subsp necrophorum adhesion to bovine portal cells

The effects of Fusobacterium necrophorum subsp. necrophorum on cellular act in were investigated using tissue-cultured bovine portal cells. Fluorescenc e studies revealed the appearance of intense fluorescent spots on the cellu lar actin and the spots increased in a time dependent manner. Sodium dodecy l sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles manifested partial o r complete degradation of actin preparation after treatment with the bacter ial cells. These findings suggest that the bacterial cell wall may contribu te to the degradation of the cellular actin during the initial stage of the infection caused by F. necrophorum subsp. necrophorum.