Cloning and characterization of an Ehrlichia canis gene encoding a protein localized to the morula membrane.

ABSTRACT: A gene encoding a 23.5-kDa ehrlichial morula membrane protein designated MmpA was cloned by screening an Ehrlichia canis expression library with convalescent dog sera, which resulted in three positive clones. Sequence analysis of the insert DNAs from all three clones indicated an open reading frame with a size of 666 bp that encodes MmpA. The structural analysis of MmpA indicated that it is a transmembrane protein with extreme hydrophobicity. Southern blot analysis of the HindIII-digested chromosomal DNA demonstrated the presence of a single copy of the mmpA gene in E. canis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis but not in the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent. The mmpA gene was amplified, cloned, and expressed as a fusion protein. Polyclonal antibodies to the recombinant protein (rMmpA) were rais

SUBMITTER: Teng CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC152100 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature