Role of Vpma phase variation in Mycoplasma agalactiae pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Compared with other bacterial pathogens, the molecular mechanisms of mycoplasma pathogenicity are largely unknown. Several studies in the past have shown that pathogenic mycoplasmas are equipped with sophisticated genetic systems that allow them to undergo high-frequency surface antigenic variations. Although never clearly proven, these variable mycoplasma surface components are often implicated in host immune evasion and adaptation. Vpma surface lipoproteins of the ruminant pathogen Mycoplasma agalactiae are encoded on a genomic pathogenicity island-like locus and are considered as one of the well-characterized model systems of mycoplasma surface antigenic variation. The present study assesses the role of these phase-variable Vpmas in the molecular pathogenesis of M. agalactiae by testing

SUBMITTER: Chopra-Dewasthaly R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4510919 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature