Adhesion of Mycoplasmas to Eukaryotic Cells

摘要: Many pathogenic mycoplasmas are surface parasites, adhering to the epithelial linings of respiratory and urogenital tracts. Since lack cell walls their plasma membrane comes in close contact with that host, allowing exchange components between two membranes possibly fusion. The tight association parasite its host is illustrated scanning electron micrographs Mycoplasma pneumoniae M. gallisepticum human red blood cells. Specialized structure at tips mycoplasma cells appear function as attachment organelles. Our main aim has been chemically define receptors on binding sites responsible for adhesion. Glycophorin (the major sialoglycoprotein cells) serves or sole receptor whereas binds additional Trypsin treatment abolishes ability attach cells, suggesting protein nature sites. solubilized by detergents were subjected affinity chromatography glycophorin-Sepharose so high glycophorin could be isolated. fraction isolated consisted several proteins (relative molecular mass 25 000 45 000). this was relatively low but appeared specific, it inhibited not hydrophobic moiety. possibility discussed exposure influenced electrochemical ion gradient across membrane.