The wbpM gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa serogroup O17 resides on a crypticcopy of the serogroup O11O antigen gene locus

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa serogroup O11 strain PA103 O antigen gene locus consists of 11 genes designated wzz, wzx, wbjA, wzy, wbjB-F, wbpL, and wbpM . The distribution of each of these genes amongst the 20 P. aeruginosa inte rnational antigenic typing system (IATS) serogroups was analyzed by Souther n blot. As shown previously, wbpM was present in all 20 serogroups. The rem aining O11 O antigen genes. with the exception of wzy, were present in the serogroup O17 strain LATSO17, despite the structural unrelatedness of the O 11 and O17 O antigens. Sequencing revealed the presence of a cryptic serogr oup O11 locus in the IATSO17 interrupted by two copies of a 1.1-kb insertio n element. Introduction of plasmid pLPS2, containing the complete O11 O ant igen locus From strain PA103, into IATSO 17 resulted in production of both the O11 and O17 O antigens. The results of insertional inactivation of wbpM in IATSO17 are discussed. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. Ail rights reserved.