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Home / Equine Research Bank / Infect Immun / Virulence plasmid of Rhodococcus equi contains inducible gen...
Infection and immunity2001; 69(2); 650-656; doi: 10.1128/IAI.69.2.650-656.2001

Virulence plasmid of Rhodococcus equi contains inducible gene family encoding secreted proteins.

Abstract: Rhodococcus equi causes severe pyogranulomatous pneumonia in foals. This facultative intracellular pathogen produces similar lesions in immunocompromised humans, particularly in AIDS patients. Virulent strains of R. equi bear a large plasmid that is required for intracellular survival within macrophages and for virulence in foals and mice. Only two plasmid-encoded proteins have been described previously; a 15- to 17-kDa surface protein designated virulence-associated protein A (VapA) and an antigenically related 20-kDa protein (herein designated VapB). These two proteins are not expressed by the same R. equi isolate. We describe here the substantial similarity between VapA and VapB. Moreover, we identify three additional genes carried on the virulence plasmid, vapC, -D, and -E, that are tandemly arranged downstream of vapA. These new genes are members of a gene family and encode proteins that are approximately 50% homologous to VapA, VapB, and each other. vapC, -D, and -E are found only in R. equi strains that express VapA and are highly conserved in VapA-positive isolates from both horses and humans. VapC, -D, and -E are secreted proteins coordinately regulated by temperature with VapA; the proteins are expressed when R. equi is cultured at 37 degrees C but not at 30 degrees C, a finding that is compatible with a role in virulence. As secreted proteins, VapC, -D, and -E may represent targets for the prevention of rhodococcal pneumonia. An immunologic study using VapA-specific antibodies and recombinant Vap proteins revealed no evidence of cross-reactivity despite extensive sequence similarity over the carboxy terminus of all four proteins.
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Publication Date: 2001-02-13 PubMed ID: 11159951PubMed Central: PMC97935DOI: 10.1128/IAI.69.2.650-656.2001Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • U.S. Gov't
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses the identification of three new genes in the virulence plasmid, a large piece of DNA, of Rhodococcus equi, bacteria which cause severe pneumonia in foals and in immunocompromised humans. These genes contribute to the bacterium’s survival within cells and help it cause disease. The proteins they encode may serve as potential targets to prevent infections caused by these bacteria.

Background

  • Rhodococcus equi is a bacterium responsible for causing a severe form of pneumonia in foals and immunocompromised humans.
  • The bacterium’s survival within cells, such as macrophages, and its virulent properties are facilitated by a large piece of DNA known as a virulence plasmid.
  • Prior to this study, only two proteins encoded by this plasmid were known; these are designated as Virulence-associated protein A (VapA) and VapB.

Identification of New Genes

  • The research team discovered three additional genes carried on the virulence plasmid, named vapC, vapD, and vapE. These genes are arranged in series after vapA.
  • These new genes belong to the same gene family and encode proteins that are approximately 50% similar to VapA, VapB, and to each other.
  • Interestingly, these genes are found only in R. equi strains that express VapA, and they are identical in VapA-positive isolates, whether originating from horses or humans.

Role of New Genes in Virulence

  • The proteins produced by vapC, vapD, and vapE are secreted and their expression is regulated by temperature, being expressed at 37 degrees Celsius but not 30 degrees Celsius, implying their role in disease expression.
  • As secreted proteins, they may serve as targets for preventing pneumonia caused by R. equi.

Immunologic Study Results

  • An immunologic study using antibodies specific to VapA and recombinant proteins of Vap were conducted.
  • Despite the high sequence similarity around the terminal ends of all four proteins, no cross-reactivity was observed in this study.

Cite This Article

APA
Byrne BA, Prescott JF, Palmer GH, Takai S, Nicholson VM, Alperin DC, Hines SA. (2001). Virulence plasmid of Rhodococcus equi contains inducible gene family encoding secreted proteins. Infect Immun, 69(2), 650-656. https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.69.2.650-656.2001

Publication

Infection and immunity
ISSN: 0019-9567
NlmUniqueID: 0246127
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 69
Issue: 2
Pages: 650-656

Researcher Affiliations

Byrne, B A
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-7040, USA. bab@vet.purdue.edu
Prescott, J F
    Palmer, G H
      Takai, S
        Nicholson, V M
          Alperin, D C
            Hines, S A

              MeSH Terms

              • Amino Acid Sequence
              • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
              • Cross Reactions
              • DNA-Binding Proteins
              • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
              • Genes, Bacterial
              • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
              • Molecular Sequence Data
              • Open Reading Frames
              • Plasmids
              • Rhodococcus equi / genetics
              • Rhodococcus equi / pathogenicity
              • Temperature
              • Virulence / genetics
              • Virulence Factors

              Grant Funding

              • AI01303 / NIAID NIH HHS

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