The transfer of choline from the host to the bacterial cell surface requires glpQ in Haemophilus influenzae

摘要: Haemophilus influenzae incorporates choline obtained from environmental sources onto its lipopolysaccharide as phosphorylcholine (ChoP). The decoration of the bacterial surface with ChoP contributes to pathogenesis by allowing for mimicry host. As main reservoir in host is phosphatidylcholine, we tested whether other choline-containing molecules associated eukaryotic membranes could provide an alternative source choline. H. was able use glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), abundant degradation product phospholipids, efficiently free Utilization GPC required glpQ, which expresses enzyme glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase activity. In absence choline, this gene adherent obtain directly epithelial cells culture. GlpQ therefore allows be transferred cell surface.