Variations in the ospB gene of Borrelia burgdorferi result in differences in monoclonal antibody reactivity and in production of escape variants.
An escape variant of Borrelia burgdorferi, selected with a monoclonal antibody to OspB, expressed a truncated form of OspB, the result of point mutations in the ospB gene leading to a premature termination codon. A single amino acid position in the C terminus of OspB was critical for monoclonal antibody recognition. The variations in the ospB gene suggest a mechanism for the evasion of the immune response by these organisms and may also have implications for current diagnostic and vaccine efforts.
Coleman
J L
JL
State of New York Department of Health, Stony Brook.
Rogers
R C
RC
Rosa
P A
PA
Benach
J L
JL
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D000939:Epitopes; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D000939:Epitopes; D010455:Peptides; C077030:OspB protein, Borrelia burgdorferi