Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Genes for Haemophilus influenzae type b capsule expression are duplicated to form a potentially unstable structure, cap, of directly-repeated chromosomal regions of approximately 17 kb. Capsule-deficient mutants arise in a two-stage process, initiated by rec-dependent reduction of this region from two copies to one. This recombinational event is usually lethal, only about 1/200 surviving to form slow-growing colonies of organisms that continue to synthesize polysaccharide but are defective in its export. A variety of secondary 'rescue' mutations within cap can occur to reduce polysaccharide synthesis and restore normal organism appearance and colony morphology.

Original publication

DOI

10.1099/00221287-137-11-2571

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Gen Microbiol

Publication Date

11/1991

Volume

137

Pages

2571 - 2576

Keywords

Bacterial Capsules, Blotting, Southern, Genotype, Haemophilus influenzae, Microscopy, Electron, Mutation, Phenotype, Restriction Mapping, Transformation, Bacterial