The CRISPR-Associated Gene<i>cas2</i>of Legionella pneumophila Is Required for Intracellular Infection of Amoebae

Abstract

Given that infection of amoebae is critical for L. pneumophila persistence in water systems, our data indicate that cas2 has a role in the transmission of Legionnaires' disease. Because our experiments were done in the absence of added phage, plasmid, or nucleic acid, the event that is facilitated by Cas2 is uniquely distinct from current dogma concerning CRISPR-Cas function.