Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins
10:47

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins

Published on: July 1, 2011

Mycoplasma synoviae has two distinct phase-variable major membrane antigens, one of which is a putative hemagglutinin

A H Noormohammadi1, P F Markham, K G Whithear

  • 1School of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Infection and Immunity
|July 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma synoviae membrane proteins (MSPA, MSPB, MSPC) exhibit phase variation and are involved in poultry pathogen adhesion. Their complex structure and expression are key to understanding infection mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Poultry Pathology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma synoviae is a significant poultry pathogen causing synovitis and respiratory disease.
  • A specific cluster of 45- to 50-kDa membrane proteins is highly immunogenic in M. synoviae strain WVU-1853.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize immunodominant membrane proteins in M. synoviae.
  • To investigate the expression patterns and functional roles of these proteins, particularly in adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) for protein separation.
  • Monoclonal antibodies and monospecific antisera for protein characterization.
  • Immunostaining and hemadsorption assays to study protein expression and function.

Main Results:

  • Four distinct proteins (MSPA, MSPB) and a related protein (MSPC) were identified within the 45- to 50-kDa cluster.
  • MSPA and MSPB proteins showed considerable variation in size and expression across different M. synoviae strains.
  • Both MSPA and MSPB (including MSPC) demonstrated phase variability in expression, with quantal variation observed in MSPB/MSPC.
  • MSPA was implicated in inhibiting hemagglutination, and loss of MSPA/MSPB expression correlated with reduced hemadsorption, suggesting involvement in adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • The 45- to 50-kDa membrane protein cluster of M. synoviae is structurally complex and exhibits variable expression.
  • Phase variation in MSPA, MSPB, and MSPC suggests a role in adapting to host environments.
  • These proteins, particularly MSPA and MSPB, are likely involved in M. synoviae adhesion mechanisms, crucial for pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Cell-Free Scaled Production and Adjuvant Addition to a Recombinant Major Outer Membrane Protein from Chlamydia muridarum for Vaccine Development12:53

Cell-Free Scaled Production and Adjuvant Addition to a Recombinant Major Outer Membrane Protein from Chlamydia muridarum for Vaccine Development

Published on: March 16, 2022

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae06:04

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Published on: February 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis01:27

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as “strep throat,” is an acute infection of the oropharyngeal tissues caused by the Gram‑positive Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or talking.Mechanisms of Host Entry and Immune EvasionUpon entering the host, S. pyogenes adheres to the mucosal epithelial cells of the pharynx via surface proteins, notably lipoteichoic acid and the antiphagocytic...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
Inhibitors Of Virion Release01:25

Inhibitors Of Virion Release

Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...