Antigenic variation of TprK V regions abrogates specific antibody binding in syphilis.

ABSTRACT: The tprK gene in the syphilis spirochete, Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, undergoes antigenic variation in seven variable (V) regions. tprK is highly variable within T. pallidum strains, and a method has been developed to derive clones of T. pallidum that express a single, unique tprK sequence. Rabbits were infected with three different T. pallidum clones or the parent strain from which the clones were derived, and their sera were examined by immunoassay for antibody reactivity against synthetic peptides representing the TprK V regions from each clone. The parent strain expresses many different V region sequences, and infection with this strain induced antibody responses against a wide variety of V regions. In rabbits infected with the Chicago C clone, antibodies developed against all

SUBMITTER: LaFond RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1695500 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature