The Role of the Legionella Collagen-like Protein in Legionella pneumophila Biofilm Formation, Environmental Dissemination and Pathogenicity
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The Legionella collagen-like protein (Lcl) of Legionella pneumophila is an adhesin involved in multiple processes during the lifecycle of L. pneumophila. Among these processes is the sedimentation and auto-aggregation of L. pneumophila. Lcl potentiates the infection of amoeba species by facilitating contact and adhesion to its host, allowing the pathogen to replicate, disseminate and persist in the environment. Lcl dependent auto- aggregation requires divalent cations, suggesting it may occur in the natural habitat of L. pneumophila. In addition to its role in sedimentation, Lcl mediates biofilm production of L. pneumophila. The Lcl encoding gene, lpg2644 is polymorphic among clinical isolates, and the number of collagenous repeats is positively correlated to biofilm production and clinical prevalence. This study underscores the role of Lcl in human infection by contributing to environmental dissemination and persistence, thereby increasing the likelihood of encountering human hosts.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Mena Abdel‐Nour
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2625796265