Open AccessAntigenic and molecular heterogeneity of the transferrin‐binding protein of Neisseria meningitidis
Author(s) -
Griffiths Elwyn,
Stevenson Pauline,
Ray Ava
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1990.tb04170.x
Subject(s) - neisseria meningitidis , transferrin , antigen , biology , epitope , serotype , neisseriaceae , binding protein , neisseria , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , gene , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics
The transferrin‐binding protein in 35 Neisseria meningitidis isolates was examined using a binding assay involving 125 I‐transferrin. The results show that most strains have a binding protein with a M r between 78 kDa and 83 kDa; only 4 strains had a binding protein with a M r of about 68 kDa. The side of the protein appears unrelated to the serogroup or serotype of the organism. Using antibodies raised to whole cells of N. meningitidis grown under iron restriction we show also that considerable antigenic heterogeneity exists amongst the transferrin‐binding proteins. This makes it a less than promising vaccine candidate antigen, although conserved antigenic domains are now being sought.