Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Mycoplasma genetic variation and its implication for pathogenesis

C Citti1, R Rosengarten

  • 1Institute of Bacteriology and Animal Hygiene, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.

Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|August 8, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Pathogenic mycoplasmas evade host defenses through sophisticated genetic mechanisms that alter their surface proteins. This surface variation is crucial for establishing and persisting infections in hosts.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Benzothiadiazines derivatives as novel allosteric modulators of kainic acid receptors.

Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society·2022
Same author

Horizontal Gene Transfers in Mycoplasmas (Mollicutes).

Current issues in molecular biology·2018
Same author

The albumin-bilirubin grade uncovers the prognostic relationship between hepatic reserve and immune dysfunction in HIV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2017
Same author

Mycoplasma agalactiae Secretion of β-(1→6)-Glucan, a Rare Polysaccharide in Prokaryotes, Is Governed by High-Frequency Phase Variation.

Applied and environmental microbiology·2016
Same author

Herd-level risk factors for the seropositivity to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and the occurrence of enzootic pneumonia among fattening pigs in areas of endemic infection and high pig density.

Transboundary and emerging diseases·2012
Same author

Multilocus sequence typing of Mycoplasma agalactiae.

Journal of medical microbiology·2011

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Pathogenic mycoplasma species cause chronic diseases in humans and animals, often affecting the respiratory tract, urogenital tract, and joints.
  • The basis for mycoplasma infection chronicity is not fully understood, but surface attribute alteration is implicated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent developments in the genetic mechanisms and functional significance of surface lipoprotein variation in mycoplasma pathogenesis.
  • To highlight the role of surface phenotypic variation in mycoplasma infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on mycoplasma surface variation.
  • Analysis of genetic mechanisms driving surface protein changes (phase variation, size variation, epitope masking/demasking).

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Mycoplasmas possess genetic machinery for altering surface attributes, including reversible ON/OFF switching (phase variation), size variation, and epitope masking/demasking.
  • Variable surface lipoproteins, encoded by multiple variant single-copy genes, are major coat proteins and surface antigens.
  • Surface variation aids mycoplasmas in evading host immune responses and adapting to changing microenvironments.

Conclusions:

  • Surface lipoprotein variation is a key strategy for pathogenic mycoplasmas to establish and persist infections.
  • This variation facilitates immune evasion and influences colonization and translocation across mucosal barriers.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing effective treatments against mycoplasma infections.