The Mycoplasma hominis vaa gene displays a mosaic gene structure.
Mol Microbiol
; 29(1): 97-110, 1998 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9701806
ABSTRACT
Mycoplasma hominis contains a variable adherence-associated (vaa) gene. To classify variants of the vaa genes, we examined 42 M. hominis isolated by PCR, DNA sequencing and immunoblotting. This uncovered the existence of five gene categories. Comparison of the gene types revealed a modular composition of the Vaa proteins. The proteins constituted a conserved N-terminal part followed by a varying number of interchangeable cassettes encoding approximately 110 amino acids with conserved sequences boxes flanking the cassettes. The interchangeable cassettes showed a high mutual homology and a conserved leucine zipper motif. The smallest product contained only one cassette and the largest five. Additionally, two types of stop mutations caused by substitutions resulting in the expression of truncated Vaa proteins were observed. Our results expand the known potential of the Vaa system in generating antigen variation.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Proteínas de Bactérias
/
Adesinas Bacterianas
/
Mycoplasma hominis
/
Genes Bacterianos
/
Proteínas de Membrana
/
Mosaicismo
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mol Microbiol
Ano de publicação:
1998
Tipo de documento:
Article