# ORGANIZATION AND EXPRESSION OF MYCOPLASMA GENES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA · 1991 · $135,574

## Abstract

The overall objectives of this proposal are to determine (by DNA sequence
analysis) the primary structure of selected membrane surface proteins of
the arthritogenic pathogen Mycoplasma hyorhinis, and to define a
reiterated genomic element that may contribute to genomic diversity
within this species and reflect transmission of genetic material among
mycoplasmas.  M. hyorhinis is one of over 70 species in the genus
Mycoplasma, a group of diverse, rapidly evolving small wall-less
procaryotes (750 kb genomes), phylogenetically related to gram positive
eubacteria.  It causes chronic degenerative arthritis in swine.  M.
hyorhinis interacts with the surface of host cells through structures
exposed on its single limiting membrane.  These are also targets of
immune responses contributing to disease processes, and include a major
group of recently defined membrane proteins covalently modified by
lipids.  Important phenotypic differences occur among strains of M.
hyorhinis, including arthritogenic potential, degree of cytadsorption and
variation of surface membrane antigens.  Unique features of membrane
protein structure and processing are not understood, nor is the genetic
basis of phenotypic variation in M. hyorhinis or other mycoplasma known.
The first aim of the proposed research is to obtain primary DNA sequence
and expression of recently identified cloned genes encoding integral
membrane proteins of M. hyorhinis with potentially novel sites of lipid
acylation, or encoding membrane subunits of ATPase.  Critical features of
mycoplasma membrane protein processing, anchorage and surface antigenic
structure will be determined, and comparison of highly conserved
functional membrane proteins (ATPase) will be made with analogous
eubacterial counterparts.  The second aim is to define the structure and
possible transmission of a recently identified repetitive genomic
element, that is highly reiterated in variable patterns among strains of
M. hyorhinis, and is distributed in selecting strains of other mycoplasma
species.  This is important as a potential generator of genomic diversity
within M. hyorhinis, and may be useful in understanding transmission of
genetic material among mycoplasmas.  Standard techniques of restriction
mapping and Sanger dideoxy sequencing will be to characterize existing
DNA fragments cloned from recombinant genomic libraries of M. hyorhinis.
Expression and characterization of mycoplasma proteins from cloned
fragments will utilize phage- or plasmid-directed synthesis in E. coli
minicells or high expression host-vector systems, deletion analysis,
antigenic analysis and tryptic mapping of recombinant protein products.
Complementation analysis will be used to assess mycoplasma gene function
in E. coli.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157289
- **Project number:** 5R01AR035587-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** SZPJL5ZRCLF4
- **Principal Investigator:** KIM S. WISE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $135,574
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1989-03-01 → 1992-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157289

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157289, ORGANIZATION AND EXPRESSION OF MYCOPLASMA GENES (5R01AR035587-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157289. Licensed CC0.

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