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Polymorphisms of FtsK/SpoIIIE protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains may affect both protein function

Yi Jiang1, Haican Liu1, Yan Qiu1

  • 1State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Beijing 102206, P. R. China ; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Hangzhou 310003, China.

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
|February 10, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Polymorphisms in the FtsK/SpoIIIE protein were found across Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains, potentially impacting function and immune response. Certain strains even lacked T cell epitopes, highlighting genetic diversity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • FtsK/SpoIIIE ATPases are crucial for DNA and protein translocation in bacteria.
  • These proteins are conserved across bacterial species, including the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC).
  • Understanding genetic variations in MTBC is vital for diagnostics and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate polymorphisms in the FtsK/SpoIIIE protein (Rv3871) within the MTBC.
  • To assess the potential impact of these variations on protein function and host immune responses.
  • To identify potential phylogenetic markers within MTBC strains.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomics of 26 whole-genome-sequenced MTBC strains from NCBI.
  • PCR amplification and sequencing of the Rv3871 gene from 159 clinical M. tuberculosis isolates.
  • Analysis of sequence variations and T cell epitopes.

Main Results:

  • Polymorphisms were identified in the FtsK/SpoIIIE protein across MTBC strains.
  • One M. bovis and three BCG strains were found to be missing two T cell epitopes.
  • Sequence variations may influence protein function and host immune interactions.
  • Position 1497 of the FtsK/SpoIIIE protein serves as a reliable phylogenetic marker for Beijing strains.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic diversity exists within the FtsK/SpoIIIE protein in MTBC.
  • These polymorphisms may affect bacterial virulence and host immune evasion strategies.
  • The Rv3871 gene and specific positions like 1497 offer insights into MTBC evolution and strain differentiation.
Keywords:
FtsK/SpoIIIE proteinMycobacterium tuberculosispolymorphisms

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