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Small repeating units within the Ureaplasma urealyticum MB antigen gene encode serovar specificity and are associated
X Zheng1, L J Teng, H L Watson
1Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine 35294.
Abstract:
Ureaplasma urealyticum is a common commensal of the female lower urogenital tract, yet it has been shown to be an important cause of chorioamnion infection, respiratory and central nervous system disease, and death in premature infants. It has been suggested that only certain serovars are capable of producing invasive disease. However, we previously showed that many serotypes are invasive and that perhaps antigen variability and host factors are more important determinants of ureaplasma infections than are different serotypes per se. The molecular characterization in this report describes a mechanism available to ureaplasmas for producing antigen variation. That antigen, designated MB and previously identified on U. urealyticum, contains serovar-specific and cross-reactive epitopes, is produced both in vitro and in vivo, is a predominant antigen recognized during ureaplasma infections of humans, undergoes a high rate of size variation in vitro, and is size variable on invasive ureaplasma isolates. In the present study, we cloned and sequenced the gene of the MB antigen from serovar 3, the serovar most commonly isolated from humans. The 3' two-thirds of the gene was shown to contain identical 18-nucleotide tandem repeats. PCR analysis and direct sequencing of two variants indicated that alterations within this repeat region are responsible for the size variation of the MB antigen. Intact recombinant serovar 3 MB antigen and truncated products, expressed by coupled in vitro transcription and translation of the cloned gene, were immunoprecipitated by both a serovar-specific monoclonal antibody and the serum of a U. urealyticum-infected patient, and these results identified the repeat region of the MB antigen as serovar defining. Resolution of the precise amino acids responsible for specific epitopes and characterization of similar genes in the other serovars should yield reagents useful in elucidating the role of antigen size variants in disease production and the role of specific antibody in protection from ureaplasma disease.
Insights
Ureaplasma urealyticum exhibits antigen variability through tandem repeats in its MB antigen gene, explaining its ability to cause invasive infections in premature infants. This molecular mechanism is key to understanding ureaplasma pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Ureaplasma urealyticum is a common bacterium in the female urogenital tract.
- It is implicated in severe infections in premature infants, including chorioamnionitis and CNS disease.
- Previous research suggested serovar specificity, but antigen variability may be more critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanism behind Ureaplasma urealyticum antigen variation.
- To characterize the MB antigen gene and its role in serovar differentiation and disease.
- To understand the basis of Ureaplasma urealyticum's invasive potential.
Main Methods:
- Cloning and sequencing of the MB antigen gene from U. urealyticum serovar 3.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing to analyze gene variants.
- In vitro transcription and translation coupled with immunoprecipitation assays.
Main Results:
- The MB antigen gene of serovar 3 contains identical 18-nucleotide tandem repeats in its 3' region.
- Alterations within this repeat region directly correlate with the size variation of the MB antigen.
- The repeat region was identified as serovar-defining, with both intact and truncated antigens recognized by specific antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Tandem repeat variations in the MB antigen gene are a primary mechanism for Ureaplasma urealyticum antigen variation.
- This molecular mechanism contributes to the bacterium's ability to cause invasive infections.
- Further research into specific epitopes and other serovars can aid in developing diagnostic and protective strategies against Ureaplasma urealyticum infections.