Characterization of major surface glycoprotein genes of human Pneumocystis carinii and high-level expression of a conserved region.

ABSTRACT: To facilitate studies of Pneumocystis carinii infection in humans, we undertook to better characterize and to express the major surface glycoprotein (MSG) of human P. carinii, an important protein in host-pathogen interactions. Seven MSG genes were cloned from a single isolate by PCR or genomic library screening and were sequenced. The predicted proteins, like rat MSGs, were closely related but unique variants, with a high level of conservation among cysteine residues. A conserved immunodominant region (of approximately 100 amino acids) near the carboxy terminus was expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli and used in Western blot studies. All 49 of the serum samples, which were taken from healthy controls as well as from patients with and without P. carinii pneumonia, were reactive wi

SUBMITTER: Mei Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC108515 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature