Homology of variable major protein genes between Borrelia hermsii and Borrelia miyamotoi

Abstract

Antigenic variation has been studied in detail for the etiological agent of relapsing fever, Borrelia hermsii. The variable major proteins (vmps) are found at its cell surface, enabling it to avoid the host's immune response. We have cloned and sequenced the vmp‐gene (vmp)‐like sequences from the Borrelia miyamotoi strains HT31 and FR64b and the deduced amino acid sequences were compared with the published vmp proteins vmp3, vmp24, and vmp33 of B. hermsii. The sequences were aligned and revealed pairwise sequence identities ranging from 45 to 51%, and differences were scattered throughout the sequences. Southern hybridization using the cloned vmp‐like sequence of strain HT31 as a probe suggested that the vmp homologues reside on the linear plasmids of B. miyamotoi. The probe hybridized weakly with B. hermsii linear plasmids and restriction digests. These results suggest that B. miyamotoi has sequences resembling the vmp genes in B. hermsii.

Successful in vitro cultivation of Borrelia duttonii and its comparison with Borrelia recurrentis

“…Primers designed for amplification of B. hermsii VLPs have also amplified VLP genes from B. turicatae, Borrelia parkeri, B. crocidurae and from the presumptive agent of epizootic bovine abortion, Borrelia coriaceae (Hinnebusch et al, 1998). Sequences of the VLP/VSP genes of B. hermsii are similar to those of other Borreliae, namely the OspC protein of B. burgdorferi sensu lato (Marconi et al, 1993;Margolis et al, 1994) and a VLP/VSP-like gene in Borrelia myamotoi (Hamase et al, 1996). This could account for the cross-reactivity seen with antiserum raised against VSP3 3.…”

Borrelia miyamotoi: a widespread tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete

“…Borrelia hermsii has been shown to evade the host immune response and relapse by switching these antigens, thus changing its serotype [95]. Also in B. miyamotoi, a potential VMP homolog gene exists, although more studies are needed to characterize the actual expression of this protein and whether a similar mechanism of antigen switching is present [9,96].…”

Typing ofBorreliaRelapsing Fever Group Strains

“…B. miyamotoi strains HT24, HT31, and HK004 from I. persulcatus ticks and strains NB103-1 and FR64b from Apodemus spp. mice were from Hokkaido, Japan ( 3 , 12 ). Cultivable strains of these species were grown in Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly II medium.…”