Coupled phase-variable expression and epitope masking of selective surface lipoproteins increase surface phenotypic diversity in Mycoplasma hominis.
A new mechanism expanding mycoplasmal surface diversity is described. Exposure of surface epitopes on a constitutively expressed membrane protein (P56) of Mycoplasma hominis was subject to high-frequency phase variation due to phase-variable expression of the P120 antigen and its selective masking of P56 epitopes. Phase-variable masking may confer previously unrealized adaptive capabilities on mycoplasmas.
Zhang
Q
Q
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA.
Wise
K S
KS
D000940:Antigenic Variation / Q000276:immunology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology*; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology*; D019535:Mycoplasma hominis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C089295:P120 protein, Mycoplasma hominis