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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
10:47
Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins
Published on: July 1, 2011
Adherence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum involves variable surface membrane proteins
A Athamna1, R Rosengarten, S Levisohn
1Department of Membrane and Ultrastructure Research, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Infection and Immunity
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Mycoplasma gallisepticum binds to red blood cells using surface proteins that frequently change. This high-frequency phase variation in membrane proteins mediates adherence to chicken and human erythrocytes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mycoplasma gallisepticum is a significant avian pathogen.
- Understanding the mechanisms of M. gallisepticum adherence is crucial for controlling infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the adherence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum to erythrocytes.
- To identify the specific M. gallisepticum components involved in erythrocyte binding.
Main Methods:
- Colony immunoblotting
- Detergent phase fractionation
- Trypsin treatment
- Comparative proteomic analysis of hemadsorption-positive and -negative mutants
Main Results:
- Adherence to both chicken and human erythrocytes is mediated by surface-exposed membrane proteins.
- These binding proteins exhibit high-frequency phase variation.
Conclusions:
- Surface membrane proteins undergoing phase variation are key mediators of Mycoplasma gallisepticum adherence to erythrocytes.
- This mechanism likely contributes to the pathogen's ability to evade host immune responses.
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