Mycobacterium leprae binds to a major human peripheral nerve glycoprotein myelin P zero (P0).
We have previously shown that a major phosphorylated 25-kDa glycoprotein of the human peripheral nerve binds to Mycobacterium leprae. In the present study, we confirm that the 25-kDa glycoprotein of the human peripheral nerve is myelin P zero (P0) by immunoprecipitation and Western blot experiments using monoclonal antibodies to myelin P0. Immunohistochemical studies on human nerve using these antibodies to myelin P0 exhibited a strong immunoreactivity to the myelin and Schwann cells. Myelin P0 is a peripheral nerve specific protein; therefore it could likely be one of the key target molecules for M. leprae binding/internalization or even contact-dependent demyelination. This finding of M. leprae binding to myelin P0 adds to the present understanding on neural predilection of M. leprae.
Suneetha
Lavanya M
LM
LEPRA India-Blue Peter Research Centre, Hyderabad, India. bprc@hd2.dot.net.in
Singh
Surya S
SS
Vani
Meher
M
Vardhini
Deena
D
Scollard
David
D
Archelos
Juan J
JJ
Srinivasulu
M
M
Suneetha
Sujai
S
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D003300:Copper; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018993:Myelin P0 Protein / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011485:Protein Binding
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D018993:Myelin P0 Protein; D003300:Copper