Open AccessA chromosomal region of Mycoplasma agalactiae containing vsp ‐related genes undergoes in vivo rearrangement in naturally infected animals
Author(s) -
FlitmanTene Ravenna,
Levisohn Sharon,
Lysnyansky Inessa,
Rapoport Eitan,
Yogev David
Publication year - 2000
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.1574-6968.2000.tb09341.x
Subject(s) - biology , gene , genomic dna , southern blot , genetics , streptococcus agalactiae , sequence analysis , microbiology and biotechnology , mycoplasma , polymerase chain reaction , bacteria , streptococcus
A Mycoplasma agalactiae genomic fragment carrying four vsp ‐related genes (designated avg : agalactiae variable genes) was cloned, sequenced and compared to the vspA gene of Mycoplasma bovis . The following features were revealed: (i) the presence of a highly conserved vsp 5′ upstream region; (ii) a highly homologous vsp N‐terminal end encoding a putative lipoprotein signal sequence; (iii) sequence divergence of the rest of the mature proteins. By using avg specific probes in Southern blot analysis of genomic DNAs of M. agalactiae strains as well as of isolates from infected animals, marked DNA polymorphism of avg fragments was demonstrated. In addition, the avg genomic fingerprints were monitored for a period of 7 months, in isolates of M. agalactiae from an individual chronically infected animal. The results provided evidence that a chromosomal region of M. agalactiae , carrying vsp ‐related genes, undergoes rearrangements in vivo in the natural animal host during the course of infection.