The Sequence of the Mycoplasma Arthritidis Superantigen, MAM: Identification of Functional Domains and Comparison with Microbial Superantigens and Plant Lectin Mitogens

Overview

Journal J Exp Med

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
General Medicine

Date 1996 Mar 1

PMID 8642252

Citations 18

Authors

B C Cole

K L Knudtson

A Oliphant

A D Sawitzke

A Pole

M Manohar

L S Benson

E Ahmed

C L Atkin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Mycoplasma arthritidis, an agent of chronic proliferative arthritis of rodents, secretes a potent soluble superantigen, MAM, that is active for both murine and human T and B lymphocytes. We now report the complete nucleotide and amino acid sequence of MAM and show it to be distinct from other proteins and not closely related phylogenetically to other superantigens. Two functional domains on MAM are identified based on the ability of peptides encompassing these regions to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation by the intact MAM molecule. One of these domains shares short sequences or epitopes with other microbial superantigens. The second domain contains the consensus legume lectin motif-beta, which is important for T cell activation by concanavalin (Con) A. MAM and Con A peptides containing this motif are functionally cross reactive, suggesting a novel secondary pathway for T cell activation by MAM.

Citing Articles

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The iC3b receptor of Candida albicans and its roles in pathogenesis.

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Association of Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen with lethal toxicity but not with arthritis in mice.

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Genome of Mycoplasma arthritidis.

Dybvig K, Zuhua C, Lao P, Jordan D, French C, Tu A Infect Immun. 2008; 76(9):4000-8.

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Superantigen-like effects of a Candida albicans polypeptide.

Devore-Carter D, Kar S, Vellucci V, Bhattacherjee V, Domanski P, Hostetter M J Infect Dis. 2008; 197(7):981-9.

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