Mycoplasma hyorhinis GDL surface protein antigen p120 defined by monoclonal antibody

Four antigens of Mycoplasma hyorhinis GDL were defined by murine monoclonal antibodies. Components of broth-grown mycoplasmas were separated under reducing conditions by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and subsequent protein blots were stained with individual antibodies. Each antibody reacted with a distinct component with relative molecular weights of 120,000, 73,000, 51,000, and 38,000, respectively (termed p120, p73, p51, and p38). Trypsin treatment of protein blots specifically abrogated binding of antibodies, suggesting that the epitopes recognized were associated with proteins. By using indirect immunofluorescence and immunoferritin techniques, mycoplasmas colonizing the surface of chronically infected BW5147 murine T-lymphoblastoid cells were selectively stained with antibody to p120, indicating the localization of the corresponding epitope at the mycoplasma surface. Protein blots of mycoplasmas derived from BW5147 cell cultures were stained with antibody to p120, revealing a component identical to that observed with broth-grown organisms. These results establish the identity of a surface protein antigen of M. hyorhinis GDL expressed at the surface of organisms during their colonization of host cells.