title: Role of the S-layer proteins of Campylobacter fetus in serum-resistance and antigenic variation: a model of bacterial pathogenesis.
abstract: Campylobacter fetus are microaerophilic gram-negative bacteria that are pathogens of animals and humans. These organisms possess paracrystalline surface (S-) layers, composed of acidic high molecular weight proteins. C. fetus strains possessing S-layers are resistant to C3b binding, which explains both serum and phagocytosis-resistance. C. fetus strains also can vary the subunit protein size, crystalline structure, and antigenicity of the S-layer it expresses. Therefore, its S-layer permits C. fetus to resist complement and antibodies, two of the key defenses against extracellular pathogens. C. fetus possesses several full-length genes encoding S-layer proteins with both conserved and divergent sequences, which permits gene rearrangement and antigenic variation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2605.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Blaser
mesh_terms: D000940:Antigenic Variation / Q000502:physiology*; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity / Q000276:immunology*; D002168:Campylobacter fetus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010587:Phagocytosis
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins