Phase-shift markers in Bordetella: alterations in envelope proteins.

Envelope preparations derived from phase I strains of Bordetella pertussis were shown to contain at least 10 major proteins or protein subunits. Four of these proteins were either missing or produced in much lower concentrations in phase IV strains and in C-mode cells. Envelope protein profiles of Bordetella parapertussis were similar to those of B. pertussis except that more high-molecular-weight proteins were detected. Phase I strains of Bordetella bronchiseptica also had protein profiles similar to those of B. pertussis except that the higher-molecular-weight proteins were not present. C-mode strains of B. parapertussis and rough strains of B. bronchiseptica were deficient in certain proteins and resembled rough strains of B. pertussis in this regard.