Адгезины патогенных иерсиний

Abstract

The genus Yersinia includes 26 species, three of which are pathogenic to humans: Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, which cause yersiniosis and pseudotuberculosis, infections with mainly gastrointestinal symptoms, and Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. Pathogenic Yersiniae express proteins that mediate attachment to host cells, facilitate invasion or evasion of the host’s immune system, allowing pathogens to proliferate and spread within the host. In addition, these species, and Y. pestis serve as models for studying the evolution of pathogenicity factors in bacteria. The virulence of pathogenic Yersinia strains depends on the presence of molecules with adhesive properties in their outer membrane. Some of them, such as the YadA and Inv proteins of enteropathogenic species, as well as the pH 6 antigen of Y. pestis, have been adequately studied. However, the whole-genome sequencing has revealed many other adhesins present in these microorganisms, which functions are just under investigation. This review briefly summarizes current knowledge about Yersinia adhesins, their functions and their putative role in the infectious process. Particular attention is paid to one of the families of β-cylindrical proteins of the outer membrane of Yersinia, associated with the pathogenicity of bacteria, namely, autotransporter adhesins. Key words: adhesion, pathogenesis, pathogenic factor, Yersinia