title: Molecular cloning of the Streptococcus mutans gene specifying antigen A.
abstract: A gene encoding a Streptococcus mutans surface protein antigen has been isolated from a strain GS-5 gene bank constructed via the Streptococcus-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pSA3. This E. coli recombinant clone, designated 4B2, expressed S. mutans proteins, as shown by Western immunoblot analysis with a specific rabbit antibody to S. mutans surface antigens. Three bands were observed, including a 52-kilodalton (kDa) protein (pI 5.7), a 29-kDa protein (pI 4.2), and a 20-kDa protein usually present in lower amounts. The 52- and 29-kDa proteins both reacted with a monoclonal antibody to S. mutans antigen A, a 29-kDa protein which has been characterized and used as a vaccine for the prevention of induced caries in rodents and monkeys. The 52-kDa protein, but not the 29-kDa protein, showed a capacity to bind to a broad number of carbohydrate polymers. The results from this study suggest that the recombinant 4B2 clone specifies a 52-kDa protein which is a precursor to the 29-kDa antigen A.
authors: Department of Pediatrics/St. Petersburg, University of South Florida, All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg 33701.
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Dao
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Chavez
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Hirachi
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Ferretti
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D003911:Dextrans / Q000378:metabolism; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003911:Dextrans; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic