Functional analysis of the Campylobacter jejuni cj0183 and cj0588 genes

The cj0183 and cj0588 genes identified in the Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 genome encode proteins with amino acid sequences predicted to be homologous to other bacterial hemolysins. The Cj0183 protein exhibits homology to Brachyspira hyodysenteriae TlyC protein, whereas the cj0588 gene product is homologous to TlyA proteins Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, Helicobacter pylori, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which play a crucial role in bacterial virulence. The aim of our work was to examine the hemolytic activity and determine the role of cj0183- and cj0588-encoded proteins on the adherence of chosen C. jejuni strains to the Caco-2 cell line by constructing deletion mutants in the mentioned genes. We found out there is no difference in hemolytic activity between both mutants in gene cj0183 and cj0588 and the wild strains. However, Cj0588 protein but not Cj0183 is involved in adherence to the Caco-2 cells.