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Sequence conservation in the major outer membrane protein gene among Chlamydia trachomatis strains isolated from the
M F Lampe1, K G Wong, W E Stamm
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
Abstract:
To determine the extent of nucleotide sequence variation in the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene among 27 clinical isolates of Chlamydia trachomatis, the MOMP gene was amplified from 13 strains isolated from the endometrium of patients with pelvic inflammatory disease and high titers of anti-chlamydial antibodies and from 14 strains isolated from the cervix of patients with presumed first-time chlamydial infection. Amplified MOMP variable domain DNA from these isolates was directly sequenced and compared with previously published results. Very little sequence heterogeneity in the MOMP variable domains was found in all 27 clinical isolates, suggesting that MOMP sequence heterogeneity is not often associated with the spread of C. trachomatis to the upper genital tract and is not common in the chlamydial strains in the patient population studied.
Insights
Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene sequencing revealed minimal variation in clinical isolates from upper and lower genital tract infections. This suggests limited MOMP sequence diversity in the studied patient population.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Chlamydia trachomatis is a significant cause of sexually transmitted infections.
- The major outer membrane protein (MOMP) is a key target for immune responses and strain characterization.
- Understanding sequence variation in MOMP is crucial for tracking Chlamydia trachomatis evolution and pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent of nucleotide sequence variation in the MOMP gene of Chlamydia trachomatis.
- To compare MOMP sequence variation between strains from upper and lower genital tract infections.
Main Methods:
- Amplification of the MOMP gene from 27 clinical isolates of Chlamydia trachomatis.
- Direct sequencing of amplified MOMP variable domain DNA.
- Comparison of obtained sequences with previously published data.
Main Results:
- Minimal sequence heterogeneity was observed in the MOMP variable domains across all 27 clinical isolates.
- The limited variation suggests that MOMP sequence diversity is not a significant factor in the spread of Chlamydia trachomatis to the upper genital tract.
- Low MOMP sequence heterogeneity was found in the studied patient population.
Conclusions:
- Nucleotide sequence variation in the MOMP gene of Chlamydia trachomatis is limited in clinical isolates from the genital tract.
- MOMP sequence heterogeneity does not appear to be a major driver for the dissemination of Chlamydia trachomatis to the upper reproductive organs.
- The findings indicate a conserved MOMP sequence in the studied Chlamydia trachomatis strains.