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. 2002 Jun 15;364(Pt 3):613–616. doi: 10.1042/BJ20020500

Expression and purification of functional recombinant meningococcal transferrin-binding protein A.

Jonathan S Oakhill 1, Christopher L Joannou 1, Susan K Buchanan 1, Andrew R Gorringe 1, Robert W Evans 1
PMCID: PMC1222609  PMID: 11972452

Abstract

Pathogenic bacteria of the genus Neisseria have a siderophore-independent iron-uptake system reliant on a direct interaction between the bacterial cell and human transferrin (hTf), a serum protein. In the meningococcus, this uptake system is dependent on two surface-exposed, transferrin-binding proteins (Tbps), TbpA and TbpB. TbpA is highly conserved among meningococcal strains, and is thought to be a porin-like integral protein that functions as a gated channel for the passage of iron into the periplasm. TbpB is more variable in size, lipidated and fully surface-exposed. Given its location on the cell surface, its role in pathogenicity and interstrain sequence conservation, TbpA is currently being regarded for inclusion in a meningococcal vaccine effective against all serogroups. This requires gaining knowledge of the ligand-receptor interactions. In the present study we have optimized a procedure for obtaining purified, functionally active recombinant TbpA at a level and stability necessary for the initiation of such studies.

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Selected References

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