Membrane-associated hemolysin activities in mycoplasmas

Abstract

Mycoplasmas are cell wall-less organisms that require membrane precursors for growth. Activities involved in the acquisition of these materials have been hypothesized as mycoplasmal virulence factors because of the effects these activities might have on host cells. Twenty-nine species or strains of mycoplasmas were examined for membrane-associated hemolysis activity similar to that previously identified in Mycoplasma pulmonis. Membrane-associated hemolytic activity was found in most mycoplasma species, but the amount of activity varied between and within the species. All of the arginine-utilizing mycoplasmal species, one M. pulmonis strain, one Acholeplasma species, and the intracellular human pathogens M. penetrans and M. fermentans ssp. incognitus were devoid of activity. The wide distribution of the membrane-associated hemolysis activity suggests that it may be important to the survival of the organism.

Immune Evasion of Mycoplasma gallisepticum: An Overview

“…M. gallisepticum has acquired a perfect transport system, which benefits from the ability to invade the host’s erythrocytes during infection and cross the mucosal barrier to spread systemically in vivo [ 31 ]. This allows M. gallisepticum to settle in tissues at a distance while being protected by the host immune system and then possibly escape by lysing the erythrocytes with the help of membrane-bound hemolysin activity [ 36 ]. Thus, mycoplasma takes full advantage of host erythrocytes to benefit its survival and spread.…”