Recombinant Proteins
Product List
Bartonella 17kDa
Bartonella Henselae 17kDa Recombinant
Recombinant Bartonella Henselae 17kDa produced in E.Coli is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain having a molecular mass of 18kDa.
Bartonella 17kDa is expressed with a -10x His tag at N-terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Bartonella 26kDa
Bartonella Henselae 26kDa Recombinant
Recombinant Bartonella Henselae 26kDa produced in E.Coli is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain having a molecular mass of 25kDa.
Bartonella 26kDa is expressed with a -10x His tag at N-terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Bartonella SucB
Bartonella Henselae SucB Recombinant
Recombinant Bartonella Henselae SucB produced in E.Coli is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain having a molecular mass of 48kDa.
Bartonella SucB is expressed with a -10x His tag at N-terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Introduction
Bartonella henselae is a Gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of cat-scratch disease (CSD). It belongs to the genus Bartonella, which comprises several species known to infect humans and animals. Bartonella henselae is a facultative intracellular pathogen, meaning it can live both inside and outside host cells .
Key Biological Properties: Bartonella henselae is an aerobic, oxidase-negative, and slow-growing bacterium. It is slightly curved and does not possess flagella for movement, although it exhibits twitching motility . The bacterium requires specific and fastidious conditions to grow in vitro .
Expression Patterns and Tissue Distribution: Bartonella henselae primarily infects erythrocytes (red blood cells) and endothelial cells (cells lining blood vessels). It can persist in a wide range of cell types and modulate the host immune response to evade detection .
Primary Biological Functions: Bartonella henselae plays a significant role in immune responses and pathogen recognition. It infects host cells by adhering to them using trimeric autotransporter adhesins . The bacterium can subvert and modulate the host immune response, allowing it to persist in various tissues .
Role in Immune Responses: Bartonella henselae can infect and persist in specialized white blood cells called CD34+ cells, which are precursors for endothelial cells . This ability allows the bacterium to access virtually any organ system and contribute to a diversity of human pathologies .
Mechanisms with Other Molecules and Cells: Bartonella henselae infects host cells by creating a cyst around itself (called a vacuole) to gain protection . It uses Type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) to transport effector proteins into host cells, subverting host cellular functions to favor pathogen uptake .
Binding Partners and Downstream Signaling Cascades: The bacterium’s effector proteins, known as Bartonella effector proteins (Beps), are injected into host cells through the T4SS VirB/D4. These proteins manipulate host cell functions to facilitate infection and persistence .
Regulatory Mechanisms Controlling Expression and Activity: Bartonella henselae has a complex gene regulatory system that allows it to survive in different phases of its lifecycle, resist antibiotic treatment, and persist in the human host . The bacterium’s biofilm formation is regulated by specific genes that are activated under conditions mimicking both the arthropod vector and the mammalian host .
Transcriptional Regulation and Post-Translational Modifications: The regulation of genes involved in biofilm formation and other virulence factors is critical for the bacterium’s ability to persist and cause disease .
Biomedical Research: Bartonella henselae is studied for its role in various clinical diseases, including local lymphadenopathy, persistent bacteremia, and endocarditis . Research focuses on identifying candidate proteins for the diagnosis of Bartonella infections using immunoproteomic approaches .
Diagnostic Tools and Therapeutic Strategies: Diagnostic methods for Bartonella henselae include culturing, immunofluorescent assays, and molecular techniques . Therapeutic strategies involve the use of antibiotics, although treatment of persistent infections remains challenging .
Role Throughout the Life Cycle: Bartonella henselae’s lifecycle involves colonization and persistence in the arthropod vector (e.g., cat fleas) and transmission to the vertebrate host (e.g., humans) through scratches or bites . The bacterium forms biofilms in the arthropod vector, which increases transmission efficiency . In the vertebrate host, biofilms contribute to disease persistence and relapse .
From Development to Aging and Disease: Bartonella henselae can infect individuals of all ages, but CSD occurs most often in children under the age of 15 . The bacterium’s ability to persist in various tissues and evade the immune response makes it a significant pathogen throughout the host’s life .
