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. 1995 Jun;61(6):2428–2430. doi: 10.1128/aem.61.6.2428-2430.1995

The Lly protein protects Legionella pneumophila from light but does not directly influence its intracellular survival in Hartmannella vermiformis.

M Steinert 1, H Engelhard 1, M Flügel 1, E Wintermeyer 1, J Hacker 1
PMCID: PMC167516  PMID: 7793965

Abstract

The lly locus (legiolysin) mediates the browning of the culture medium of Legionella pneumophila in the late stationary growth phase, presumably as a result of synthesis of homogentisic acid. Mutagenesis of the lly gene of the L. pneumophila Philadelphia I derivative JR32 did not affect intracellular replication in the natural host Hartmannella vermiformis. The Lly-negative mutant, however, showed a markedly decreased resistance to ordinary light. The cloned lly gene conferred an increased resistance to light in recombinant L. pneumophila and Escherichia coli K-12, indicating a contribution of the Lly protein to ecological adaptation of Legionella species.

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Selected References

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