The deciphering of the genomic sequence of Mycobacterium leprae has made possible to predict the possible lipoproteins. The consensus sequence at the N-terminal region of the protein, including the cysteine residue to which the lipid moiety gets attached, provides a clue to the search. As such, more than 20 putative lipoproteins have been identified from Mycobacterium leprae genomic sequence. Lipoprotein LpK (Accession no. ML0603) which encodes for 371 amino acid precursor protein, was identified. Expression of the protein, in Escherichia coli revealed a 33 kD protein, and metabolic labeling experiments proved that the protein was lipidated. The purified lipoprotein was found to induce production of IL-12 in human peripheral blood monocytes which may imply that M. leprae LpK is involved in protective immunity against leprosy. Pursuit of such lipoproteins may reveal insights into the pathogenesis of the disease.
BT - Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai zasshi = Japanese journal of leprosy : official organ of the Japanese Leprosy Association C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15035064?dopt=Abstract DA - 2004 Feb IS - 1 J2 - Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai Zasshi LA - eng N2 -The deciphering of the genomic sequence of Mycobacterium leprae has made possible to predict the possible lipoproteins. The consensus sequence at the N-terminal region of the protein, including the cysteine residue to which the lipid moiety gets attached, provides a clue to the search. As such, more than 20 putative lipoproteins have been identified from Mycobacterium leprae genomic sequence. Lipoprotein LpK (Accession no. ML0603) which encodes for 371 amino acid precursor protein, was identified. Expression of the protein, in Escherichia coli revealed a 33 kD protein, and metabolic labeling experiments proved that the protein was lipidated. The purified lipoprotein was found to induce production of IL-12 in human peripheral blood monocytes which may imply that M. leprae LpK is involved in protective immunity against leprosy. Pursuit of such lipoproteins may reveal insights into the pathogenesis of the disease.
PY - 2004 SP - 15 EP - 21 T2 - Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai zasshi = Japanese journal of leprosy : official organ of the Japanese Leprosy Association TI - Studies of lipoproteins of Mycobacterium leprae. VL - 73 SN - 1342-3681 ER -