The aim of this study was to find temperature-regulated genes in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. They might contribute to its virulence. A library of Y. pseudotuberculosis strains with the luxCDABE operon added to different promoter regions was screened.
First, we calculated a correction factor of 3.1 for the luxCDABE-coded luciferase enzyme between room (25 degrees C) and body temperature (37 degrees C). For the screening the different strains of bacteria were grown at these temperatures. We then compared the luminescence to find the strains that showed at least a three-fold difference in light emission.
The temperature-regulated promoters were identified. Up-regulated ones coded a glycoside hydroxylase and a hypothetical operon. Down-regulated were ribosomal proteins, a glycoprotease, a methyltransferase, an exodeoxyribonuclease and an abortive infection protein. These results are preliminary and can be validated by further research.
