Molecular cloning and analysis of P. 69, a vir-controlled protein from Bordetella pertussis

The cloning sequencing and analysis of an important antigenic component of Bordetella pertussis is described. The gene for P.69, in common with a variety of other so called "virulence" genes, (e.g., adenylate cyclase (AC), pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA)), is under control of the vir locus. The protein P.69 is externally localised on cells and protein preparations are protective as judged by the mouse intra-cerebral challenge test. The gene encoding the P.69 antigen was isolated by hybridization of mixed oligonucleotide probes against B. pertussis genomic DNA. These oligonucleotides were designed from the protein sequence data obtained from a cyanogen bromide digest of the P.69 protein. DNA sequence analysis reveals a G:C rich gene capable of encoding a protein of 910 amino acids and Mr of 93478, whose likely promoter and ribosome binding sites show little homology to their E.coli counterpart. In common with some of the genes in the PT operon the sequence 5'-CCTGG-3' was found 5' to the ATG initiation codon. At the 3', end 29 bases after the TAA stop codon, the sequence 5'GTTTTTCCT-3' was found in an equivalent position to the same sequence in the PT operon. Examination of the protein sequence reveals two regions with directly repeated elements (GGAVP)3(GGFGP)2 and (PQP)5.