Mycoplasma arthritidis-derived superantigen (MAM) displays DNase activity
Markus Diedershagen
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorSilke Overbeck
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorSabine Arlt
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorBirgit Plümäkers
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorMaria Lintges
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorLothar Rink
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorMarkus Diedershagen
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorSilke Overbeck
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorSabine Arlt
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorBirgit Plümäkers
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorMaria Lintges
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorLothar Rink
Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorEditor: Artur Ulmer
Abstract
Bacterial superantigens are potent stimulators of the immune system. In this study, we expressed recombinant superantigens, which were then affinity purified and used for growth curves and DNase activity assays. Overexpression of Mycoplasma arthritidis-derived superantigen in Escherichia coli reduced bacterial growth. This is unique, as staphylococcal enterotoxin A and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, expressed in the same vector system, showed no growth impairment. The observed growth inhibition was caused by the DNase activity of recombinant M. arthritidis-derived superantigen, thus describing the first superantigen showing enzymatic activity, which may be a result of the separate evolution of this toxin.
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