FIG 7.
Growth of WT ABSA 834, ABSA 834ΔmaeE, and ABSA 834ΔmaeEC (superscripted “C” indicates complemented mutant strain) in synthetic human urine (SHU) (A) and pooled normal human urine (NHU) (B), both containing 40 mM malic acid (5-ml cultures). Growth of the WT was significantly higher than that of the ABSA 834ΔmaeE mutant (AUC analysis, 24 h to 72 h, P < 0.01). Complementation in trans using plasmid pDI110 partially restored the growth of the mutant (AUC analysis, 24 h to 72 h, P < 0.01). Data are pooled results of at least three to five independent assays and show mean values ± standard errors of the means.