A single recombinant plasmid expressing two major outer surface proteins of the Lyme disease spirochete.
A gene bank of DNA from the Lyme disease spirochete was constructed in the plasmid pBR322. Plasmid pTRH32, a recombinant that in Escherichia coli expresses the two major outer surface proteins of the Lyme disease spirochete, was identified. One of the recombinant products, designated OspA, represents a surface protein that appears to be common to all Lyme disease spirochetes, whereas the other recombinant product, designated OspB, represents a more variable surface protein. This recombinant plasmid provides a foundation for future studies on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Lyme disease as well as on the genetic organization of the etiologic agent.
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D001898:Borrelia / Q000378:metabolism*; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000382:microbiology*; D010957:Plasmids; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D011506:Proteins