Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins
10:47

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins

Published on: July 1, 2011

BmpA is a surface-exposed outer-membrane protein of Borrelia burgdorferi

Anton V Bryksin1, Alexandra Tomova, Henry P Godfrey

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|June 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Borrelia burgdorferi

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) is the causative agent of Lyme disease.
  • BmpA is an immunodominant and arthritogenic protein of B. burgdorferi.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the BmpA protein.
  • To determine the cellular location of BmpA in B. burgdorferi.

Main Methods:

  • Antibody production and characterization.
  • Dot immunobinding and 2D immunoblots.
  • Triton X-114 phase partitioning.
  • Proteinase K treatment.
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Monospecific antibodies confirmed BmpA as a single 39 kDa, pI 5.0 protein.
  • BmpA was localized to both detergent-soluble and -insoluble cell fractions.
  • BmpA was accessible to proteinase K digestion on intact cells, indicating surface exposure.
  • Immunofluorescence confirmed surface localization of BmpA.

Conclusions:

  • BmpA is a surface-exposed membrane lipoprotein in B. burgdorferi.
  • The conserved surface localization suggests a critical role for BmpA in B. burgdorferi biology and pathogenesis.
  • BmpA may be a potential target for diagnostic or therapeutic strategies against Lyme disease.

More Related Videos

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR07:20

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR

Published on: February 4, 2018

Essential Components of Borreliella (Borrelia) burgdorferi In Vitro Transcription Assays07:15

Essential Components of Borreliella (Borrelia) burgdorferi In Vitro Transcription Assays

Published on: July 22, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence01:28

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides01:19

Formation of Lipopolysaccharides

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are crucial components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, serving both structural and functional roles. It contributes to membrane stability and protects bacteria from host immune responses. LPS is composed of three major regions—lipid A, a core oligosaccharide, and an O antigen. The biosynthesis and assembly of LPS involve a highly coordinated set of enzymatic reactions and transport mechanisms. Additionally, LPS is recognized as an endotoxin, triggering...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Bacterial Phylum Proteobacteria01:26

Bacterial Phylum Proteobacteria

Proteobacteria, one of the largest and most diverse bacterial phyla, encompasses a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria distinguished by their outer membrane composed of lipopolysaccharides. These microorganisms exhibit various metabolic capabilities, including phototrophy, chemolithotrophy, and heterotrophy, and thrive in diverse environments from soil to aquatic systems and host-associated niches. The phylum is divided into six classes: Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria,...