Antigenic variation in Lyme disease Borreliae by promiscuous recombination of vmp-like sequence cassettes
Article Abstract:
Researchers have identified and characterized an elaborate genetic system in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi that promotes antigenic variation of a surface-exposed lipoprotein. A variable major protein (vmp)-like sequence locus that is similar to the vmp system for antigenic variation of relapsing fever organisms was found in the linear plasmid of B. burgdorferi B31. The antigenic variation of the expressed lipoprotein may produce millions of antigenic variants in the mammalian host.
Publication Name: Cell
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0092-8674
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
TROSPA, an Ixodes scapularis receptor for Borrelia burgdorferi
Article Abstract:
A study identifies a tick receptor (TROSPA) that is required for spirochetal colonization of Ixodes scapularis, as a first step toward elucidating arthropod ligands that are required for survival of spirochetes in nature. It is demonstrated that Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface protein A, which is abundantly expressed on spirochetes within the arthropod and essential for pathogen adherence to the vector, specifically bound to TROSPA.
Publication Name: Cell
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0092-8674
Year: 2004
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Regulation of plant innate immunity by three proteins in a complex conserved across the plant and animal kingdoms
Article Abstract:
A study aims to determine the role of the three proteins with relevance to innate immunity against pathogen infection in the plant and animal kingdom.
Publication Name: Genes & Development
Subject: Biological sciences
ISSN: 0890-9369
Year: 2007
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Intraspecific variation in the use of nutrient reserves by breeding female Mallards
- Abstracts: Identification of new genes required for meiotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Meiotic chromosome pairing in triploid and tetraploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- Abstracts: Stationary phase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetic regulation of phospolipid biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- Abstracts: Infection and invasion of roots by symbiotic, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia during nodulation of temperate legumes
- Abstracts: History of migration studies in biological anthropology. Kin-structured migration: causes and consequences. Rural-to-urban migration in Latin America: an update and thoughts on the model