The Mycoplasma hominis vaa gene displays a mosaic gene structure.
Mycoplasma hominis contains a variable adherence-associated (vaa) gene. To classify variants of the vaa genes, we examined 42 M. hominis isolated by PCR, DNA sequencing and immunoblotting. This uncovered the existence of five gene categories. Comparison of the gene types revealed a modular composition of the Vaa proteins. The proteins constituted a conserved N-terminal part followed by a varying number of interchangeable cassettes encoding approximately 110 amino acids with conserved sequences boxes flanking the cassettes. The interchangeable cassettes showed a high mutual homology and a conserved leucine zipper motif. The smallest product contained only one cassette and the largest five. Additionally, two types of stop mutations caused by substitutions resulting in the expression of truncated Vaa proteins were observed. Our results expand the known potential of the Vaa system in generating antigen variation.
Boesen
T
T
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Emmersen
J
J
Jensen
L T
LT
Ladefoged
S A
SA
Thorsen
P
P
Birkelund
S
S
Christiansen
G
G
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009030:Mosaicism; D019535:Mycoplasma hominis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C115186:Vaa protein, Mycoplasma hominis