Gene organization and transcriptional analysis of the tprJ, tprI, tprG, and tprF loci in Treponema pallidum strains Nichols and Sea 81-4.

ABSTRACT: The tpr gene family of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, has recently become the focus of intensive investigation. TprF and TprI sequences are highly conserved among different isolates and are the targets of strong humoral and cellular immune responses of the host, and immunization with a recombinant peptide from the amino terminus of these antigens has been shown to alter significantly lesion development following homologous challenge. This indicates that these antigens are expressed during infection and strongly suggests a key functionality. tprF and tprI are located immediately downstream of the tprG and tprJ genes, respectively, separated by very short intergenic spacers (55 nucleotides for G-F and 56 nucleotides for J-I). Preliminary analysis using g

SUBMITTER: Giacani L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1196134 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature