The influence of CsgD on the expression of genes of folate metabolism and hmp in Escherichia coli K-12.

The csgD gene codes for the regulatory protein CsgD. CsgD upregulates the synthesis of the adhesive fimbriae, curli, that are important for biofilm formation and downregulates flagellar synthesis. We compared the expression of genes involved in folate metabolism and a gene (hmp) in strains with an intact csgD gene and with a deletion in csgD.

Light producing reporter plasmids for Escherichia coli K-12 that can be integrated into the chromosome.

Plasmid vectors using the Photorhabdus luminescenslux operon can be used for real time measurements of promoter activity. We have generated a series of lux vectors that have a conditional origin of replication, different selectable markers and the attP sequence from λ. Single copies of these plasmids can be integrated into the λ attachment site in the Escherichia coli chromosome.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose gel electrophoresis for the detection and isolation of amyloid curli fibers.

Curli are amyloid-like fibers on the surface of some strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis. We tested the use of horizontal sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-agarose gel electrophoresis to detect, isolate, and quantitate curli. Cell extracts fractionated in SDS-agarose gels and stained with Coomassie blue exhibited a soluble fraction that entered the gel and an insoluble fraction that remained in the well.