Nucleotide sequence of a variant protein A of Staphylococcus aureus suggests molecular heterogeneity among strains

J Basic Microbiol. 1991;31(5):337-45. doi: 10.1002/jobm.3620310508.

Abstract

Protein A is a cell wall linked protein of Staphylococcus aureus that binds mammalian IgG. Although protein A displays high size heterogeneity among strains, cloning and sequencing of its gene from two strains had not shown a large difference in size. Here we report a third protein A gene sequence that shows a size variation relative to these two, due to deletions on both one IgG binding domain and a cell wall binding domain (region X). By analysis of the three sequences we were able to delineate a hypothetic model for region X domain evolution and discussed the origin of genetic variability within and without strains.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Biological Evolution
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Staphylococcal Protein A / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Staphylococcal Protein A