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Membrane composition and virus susceptibility of Acholeplasma laidlawii
Abstract:
The membrane composition of 11 strains of Acholeplasma laidlawii, including three strains persistently infected with mycoplasmaviruses MVL51, MVL2, and MVL3, was studied and correlated with mycoplasmavirus sensitivity. Membranes of the strains had similiar sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns, and all strains were inhibited by an antiserum produced against membranes from one of the strains. The amounts of integral membrane proteins solubilized by the nonionic detergent Tween 20 differed considerably. Therefore, characteristic crossed immunoelectrophoresis patterns were obtained for each strain. Strains persistently infected with MVL2 and MVL3 were notably different from the noninfected host. The ability to propagate any of the viruses was not correlated with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or crossed immunoelectrophoresis patterns. The persistently infected strains had a characteristic lipid composition. MVL51-resistant strains, including a resistant clone selected from a sensitive strain, were characterized by a large monoglucosyldiglyceride/diglucosyldiglyceride ratio and trace amounts of diphosphatidylglyceol (as opposed to the sensitive strains). Differences in lipid composition in A. laidlawii seem to affect the relationship between cells and viruses.
Insights
Acholeplasma laidlawii membrane composition, particularly lipid profiles, influences mycoplasmavirus sensitivity. Specific lipid ratios in resistant strains correlate with viral propagation ability.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Acholeplasma laidlawii is a bacterium lacking a cell wall, making its cell membrane crucial for its survival and interactions.
- Mycoplasmaviruses are small viruses that infect A. laidlawii, and their propagation can be influenced by host cell properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the membrane composition of Acholeplasma laidlawii strains.
- To correlate membrane composition with sensitivity and resistance to mycoplasmaviruses.
- To understand the impact of host lipid composition on virus-cell interactions.
Main Methods:
- Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to analyze membrane proteins.
- Crossed immunoelectrophoresis to characterize strain-specific membrane protein patterns.
- Analysis of lipid composition, including monoglucosyldiglyceride, diglucosyldiglyceride, and diphosphatidylglyceol.
Main Results:
- Membrane protein profiles by SDS-PAGE were similar across strains, but crossed immunoelectrophoresis revealed strain-specific differences.
- Persistently infected strains (MVL2, MVL3) exhibited distinct membrane protein patterns compared to non-infected hosts.
- Mycoplasmavirus propagation ability was not correlated with protein electrophoresis patterns.
- MVL51-resistant strains showed a higher monoglucosyldiglyceride/diglucosyldiglyceride ratio and reduced diphosphatidylglyceol compared to sensitive strains.
Conclusions:
- Lipid composition, specifically the ratio of certain lipids, plays a significant role in Acholeplasma laidlawii's sensitivity to mycoplasmaviruses.
- Differences in membrane lipid profiles affect the relationship and interactions between A. laidlawii and infecting viruses.