Borrelia OspC
Description
Recombinant Borrelia Burgdorferi Outer Surface Protein C produced in E.coli is a non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain having a calculated molecular mass of 26kDa. Borrelia OspC is expressed with a -6x His tag at N-terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that affects humans and animals. One of the critical components in the pathogenicity and immune evasion of Borrelia burgdorferi is its outer surface proteins (Osps). Among these, Outer Surface Protein C (OspC) plays a pivotal role in the bacterium’s lifecycle and its interaction with the host’s immune system.
OspC is a helical-rich homodimer that interacts with tick salivary proteins and components of the mammalian immune system . It is expressed when Borrelia burgdorferi migrates from the tick’s midgut to its salivary glands during feeding on a vertebrate host . This protein is crucial for the bacterium’s ability to disseminate within the mammalian host, facilitating the transition from the tick vector to the mammalian host .
During the transmission from the tick vector to a mammal, Borrelia burgdorferi dramatically upregulates OspC in response to a fresh bloodmeal . This upregulation is essential for the early stages of infection, as OspC helps the bacterium evade the host’s innate immune response. However, once the anti-OspC humoral response develops, Borrelia burgdorferi downregulates the antigen to avoid detection by the host’s immune system .
Recombinant OspC refers to the protein produced through recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the gene encoding OspC into an expression system to produce the protein in vitro. This recombinant protein is used in various research and diagnostic applications, including the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests for Lyme disease.
Studies have shown that OspC is a critical factor in the dissemination of Borrelia burgdorferi during mammalian infection . Research involving recombinant OspC has provided insights into the mechanisms of immune evasion and pathogenesis of Lyme disease. Additionally, recombinant OspC is used in serological tests to detect antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in infected individuals, aiding in the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
