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.

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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.

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Regulation of plant innate immunity by three proteins in a complex conserved across the plant and animal kingdoms

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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.

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