Characterization of cell proteins of Haemophilus ducreyi by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
The whole-cell proteins of 105 clinical isolates of Haemophilus ducreyi from several geographic sources (North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe) were examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The protein profiles were reproducible and unaffected by repeated subculturing or age of culture. At least seven different subtypes were determined by proteins in the molecular weight range of 24,000-50,000. These proteins are located in the outer membrane of the cell, as determined by SDS-PAGE of the sarcosinate-insoluble membrane preparations of these strains. Thirteen isolates from a Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, outbreak of chancroid had identical patterns, suggesting a common origin. Although H ducreyi shares a number of proteins in common with other Haemophilus species, the protein profiles appear to be species specific. Heterogeneity in the protein composition of H ducreyi has provided a basis for subtyping, which could be of value in future epidemiologic studies.
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002602:Chancroid / Q000382:microbiology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006191:Haemophilus ducreyi / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008970:Molecular Weight
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins