title: Conservation of pathogenic mycoplasma antigens.
abstract: The protein profiles of different mycoplasmas are generally species-specific; however, several pathogenic species share certain biologic properties and/or virulence factors. We compared species of human, avian and animal origin to determine if there was evidence for conservation of key antigens. Log-phase cultures of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. genitalium, M. gallisepticum and M. pulmonis were subjected to SDS-gel electrophoretic analysis. Protein profiles were compared with silver-stained gels. To examine antigenic cross-reactivity, Western blots were prepared by transferring separated proteins to nitrocellulose filters and incubating these with homotypic and heterotypic antisera. Localization of cross-reacting antigens was done by immunoradioautography using 125I-labeled antiglobulins. Several two-way cross-reactions were observed among M. pneumoniae, M. genitalium, and M. gallisepticum; M. pulmonis shared no significant cross-reactions with the other three species. Preliminary evidence suggests that the cross-reactivity was due to conservation of certain antigenic determinants, although the overall protein composition of the four species was different.
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D001345:Autoradiography; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013045:Species Specificity; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D000939:Epitopes