Evidence that mycoplasmas, gram-negative bacteria, and certain gram-positive bacteria share a similar protein antigen

• DOI: 10.1128/jb.173.7.2398-2400.1991
• Publication Date: 2016-11-07T16:33:08Z
• Authors: T Sasaki
• Keywords: Molecular Weight; Antigens, Bacterial; Cytoplasm; Mycoplasma; Blotting, Western; Cell Membrane; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Cross Reactions; Gram-Positive Bacteria; 3. Good health

It was demonstrated that mycoplasmas, gram-negative bacteria, and certain gram-positive bacteria share a similar protein antigen with a molecular weight ranging from 42,000 to 48,000. Western blotting (immunoblotting) with an antibody specific to a 43-kDa membrane protein of Mycoplasma fermentans showed the existence of this protein antigen in all Mycoplasma spp. tested (14 species), Acholeplasma laidlawii (1 strain), and gram-negative bacteria (8 species) but only in Staphylococcus aureus of four gram-positive species tested. Neither Ureaplasma urealyticum nor mammalian cell cultures showed any cross-reactions with this antibody. These proteins were found in both cytoplasmic and membrane fractions of mycoplasma cells but were not exposed on the surface of mycoplasmal or bacterial cells.