A block of urovirulence genes encoding multiple fimbriae and hemolysin in Escherichia coli O4:K12:H-

Cosmid gene libraries were constructed from a uropathogenic isolate of Escherichia coli O4:K12:H- that secretes alpha-hemolysin and produces the F14, F12-rel, F1C, and F13 fimbrial antigens. A series of overlapping clones was generated, and individual cosmid clones were found to express various combinations of fimbriae and hemolysin, suggesting that the genes for these potential virulence factors are closely linked. By using Southern hybridization analysis and restriction endonuclease mapping, it was demonstrated that the cosmid clones carried a nested set of overlapping, cloned, genomic DNA fragments. A comparison of the phenotypic properties of individual cosmid clones and subclones allowed the order of the gene clusters encoding these factors to be deduced. The cloning also revealed the presence of a fifth fimbria that had P-adhesin specificity.