A metabolic enzyme as a primary virulence factor of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony.

ABSTRACT: During evolution, pathogenic bacteria have developed complex interactions with their hosts. This has frequently involved the acquisition of virulence factors on pathogenicity islands, plasmids, transposons, or prophages, allowing them to colonize, survive, and replicate within the host. In contrast, Mycoplasma species, the smallest self-replicating organisms, have regressively evolved from gram-positive bacteria by reduction of the genome to a minimal size, with the consequence that they have economized their genetic resources. Hence, pathogenic Mycoplasma species lack typical primary virulence factors such as toxins, cytolysins, and invasins. Consequently, little is known how pathogenic Mycoplasma species cause host cell damage, inflammation, and disease. Here we identify a novel primary

SUBMITTER: Pilo P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1251598 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature