Open AccessMinor pilin subunits are conserved in Vibrio cholerae type IV pili
Author(s) -
Toma Claudia,
Kuroki Hiromi,
Nakasone Noboru,
Ehara Masahiko,
Iwanaga Masaaki
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2002.tb00569.x
Subject(s) - pilin , pilus , vibrio cholerae , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , antiserum , genetics , gene cluster , protein subunit , homology (biology) , recombinant dna , gene , bacteria , escherichia coli , antigen
The nucleotide sequences of five open reading frames within the Vibrio cholerae NAGV14 type IV pilus gene cluster were determined. The genes showed high homology to the mannose‐sensitive hemagglutinin (MSHA) pilus genes mshB , mshC , mshD , mshO and mshP . PCR analysis showed that a MSHA‐like gene cluster is highly conserved among different V. cholerae strains, with the exception of the previously reported major pilin subunit. Recombinant MshB and MshO proteins were purified and specific antiserum was raised to each of them. Western blotting analyses showed that these antisera reacted with purified NAGV14 and MSHA pili. The results suggested that MshB and MshO are minor components of the pilus fiber. Although there was no cross‐reaction between the major pilin subunits of NAGV14 and MSHA pili, minor components seemed to be highly homologous and immunologically cross‐reactive.