Minor nucleotide substitutions in the omp31 gene of Brucella ovis result in antigenic differences in the major outer membrane protein that it encodes compared to those of the other Brucella species.

ABSTRACT: The gene coding for the major outer membrane protein Omp31 was sequenced in five Brucella species and their biovars. Although the omp31 genes appeared to be highly conserved in the genus Brucella, nine nucleotide substitutions were detected in the gene of Brucella ovis compared to that of Brucella melitensis. As shown by differential binding properties of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the two Brucella species, these nucleotide substitutions result in different antigenic properties of Omp31. The antigenic differences were also evidenced when sera from B. ovis-infected rams were tested by Western blotting with the recombinant B. melitensis or B. ovis Omp31 proteins. Twelve available sera reacted with recombinant B. ovis Omp31, but only four of them reacted with recombinant B. melitensis Om

SUBMITTER: Vizcaino N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC100082 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature