Molecular cloning and expression of a computationally predicted surface antigen of Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Mycoplasmas, the simplest self-replicating organisms known, are distinguished phenotypically from other bacteria by their minute size and total lack of cell wall. The poultry industry is affected by several species of mycoplasmas, but Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is the most economically significant one. The attachment of mycoplasmas to host respiratory epithelial cells constitutes a critical step in the pathway leading to infection and disease and is achieved by lipoproteins localized on the bacterial surface. In a recent in silico study, it was predicted a set of MG putative surface proteins with potential antigenic properties that could be used as candidates for exploring new vaccines, and for diagnostic tests as well. One of those potential candidates was the OppA. In this work we described the molecular cloning of the DNA segment that encodes a fragment of OppA, a polypeptide of 233 aa and about 30 kDa, as well as its expression, purification and immunogenic response induced by the product obtained.