<i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional Protein

The spirochete, <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>, has a large number of membrane proteins involved in a complex life cycle, that includes a tick vector and a vertebrate host. Some of these proteins also serve different roles in infection and dissemination of the spirochete in the mammalian ho...

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Main Authors: Thomas Cafiero, Alvaro Toledo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/2/226
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author Thomas Cafiero
Alvaro Toledo
author_facet Thomas Cafiero
Alvaro Toledo
author_sort Thomas Cafiero
collection DOAJ
description The spirochete, <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>, has a large number of membrane proteins involved in a complex life cycle, that includes a tick vector and a vertebrate host. Some of these proteins also serve different roles in infection and dissemination of the spirochete in the mammalian host. In this spirochete, a number of proteins have been associated with binding to plasminogen or components of the extracellular matrix, which is important for tissue colonization and dissemination. GroEL is a cytoplasmic chaperone protein that has previously been associated with the outer membrane of <i>Borrelia.</i> A His-tag purified <i>B. burgdorferi</i> GroEL was used to generate a polyclonal rabbit antibody showing that GroEL also localizes in the outer membrane and is surface exposed. GroEL binds plasminogen in a lysine dependent manner. GroEL may be part of the protein repertoire that <i>Borrelia</i> successfully uses to establish infection and disseminate in the host. Importantly, this chaperone is readily recognized by sera from experimentally infected mice and rabbits. In summary, GroEL is an immunogenic protein that in addition to its chaperon role it may contribute to pathogenesis of the spirochete by binding to plasminogen and components of the extra cellular matrix.
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spelling doaj.art-475e38fa40d347789ab08a67dc2727c42023-12-11T17:32:47ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172021-02-0110222610.3390/pathogens10020226<i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional ProteinThomas Cafiero0Alvaro Toledo1Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USADepartment of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USAThe spirochete, <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>, has a large number of membrane proteins involved in a complex life cycle, that includes a tick vector and a vertebrate host. Some of these proteins also serve different roles in infection and dissemination of the spirochete in the mammalian host. In this spirochete, a number of proteins have been associated with binding to plasminogen or components of the extracellular matrix, which is important for tissue colonization and dissemination. GroEL is a cytoplasmic chaperone protein that has previously been associated with the outer membrane of <i>Borrelia.</i> A His-tag purified <i>B. burgdorferi</i> GroEL was used to generate a polyclonal rabbit antibody showing that GroEL also localizes in the outer membrane and is surface exposed. GroEL binds plasminogen in a lysine dependent manner. GroEL may be part of the protein repertoire that <i>Borrelia</i> successfully uses to establish infection and disseminate in the host. Importantly, this chaperone is readily recognized by sera from experimentally infected mice and rabbits. In summary, GroEL is an immunogenic protein that in addition to its chaperon role it may contribute to pathogenesis of the spirochete by binding to plasminogen and components of the extra cellular matrix.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/2/226<i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>Lyme diseaseGroELMoonlight protein
spellingShingle Thomas Cafiero
Alvaro Toledo
<i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional Protein
Pathogens
<i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>
Lyme disease
GroEL
Moonlight protein
title <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional Protein
title_full <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional Protein
title_fullStr <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional Protein
title_full_unstemmed <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional Protein
title_short <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Surface Exposed GroEL Is a Multifunctional Protein
title_sort i borrelia burgdorferi i surface exposed groel is a multifunctional protein
topic <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>
Lyme disease
GroEL
Moonlight protein
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/2/226
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