Identification of Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Gene from Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli

Abstract

We describe here the identification of sodC gene from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC). A 294bp gene-specific fragment was amplified from the organism by DNA as well as RT-PCR using primers from bacterial sodC sequences. The metal co-factor present in the protein was confirmed by running samples in native gels and inhibiting with 2mM potassium cyanide. However, the nonpathogenic E. coli possesses the gene but does not express it. Thus, the presence of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase encoded by sodC was demonstrated for the first time in EAggEC, which means it could be a novel candidate for a virulence marker.