Molekulare Basis der Oberflächenantigenvariation von Mycoplasma agalactiae

Mycoplasma agalactiae, a cell wall-less bacterium belonging to the class Mollicutes, is considered as the classical agent of the syndrome contagious agalactia in sheep and goats. Because contagious agalactiae is worldwide and affects all breeds of sheep and goats, expensive measures are necessary in order to diagnose and control the disease both in enzootic regions and in those with sporadic outbreaks. Like many mycoplasma pathogens, antigenic variation of M. agalactiae surface proteins is believed to play a major role in the survival and dissemination of this organism within and between hosts. In this project, two monoclonal antibodies were used to characterize a new family of abundant surface proteins (Vpmas) in M. agalactiae type strain PG2, which undergo phase variation via high-frequency DNA rearrangements. Examination of the vpma system revealed many features in common with the vsp system of Mycoplasma bovis, a mycoplasma that is phylogenetically related to M. agalactiae and inducing similar clinical signs in cattle.

Zentrum für Pathobiologie

École Nationale Vétérinaire Toulouse, Département Elevage et Produits
Funktion: Partner