U. Urealyticum
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum are two closely related species of bacteria belonging to the genus Ureaplasma. These bacteria are part of the family Mycoplasmataceae and are known for their small genome size and lack of a cell wall. They are obligate parasites of eukaryotes and are primarily found in the human urogenital tract .
Ureaplasma species are divided into two biovars: Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum. There are 10 distinct serotypes of Ureaplasma urealyticum and 4 of Ureaplasma parvum . The classification of these bacteria into different serovars is based on differences in the major surface antigen called the multiple banded antigen (MBA) and reactions of human and animal sera to the organisms .
The genome sizes of Ureaplasma species are relatively small, with Ureaplasma parvum serovars having genomes of approximately 0.75−0.78 Mbp and Ureaplasma urealyticum serovars having genomes of approximately 0.84−0.95 Mbp . Comparative genome analysis has shown that these species and their serovars are extremely similar at the genome level . The mba gene, which encodes the MBA, is part of a large superfamily and is a phase-variable gene system .
Ureaplasma species are implicated in a variety of disease states, including nongonococcal urethritis, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, chorioamnionitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates . The pathogenic potential of these bacteria is influenced by their ability to acquire genes horizontally, which may contribute to their virulence . However, the differential pathogenicity and clinical outcomes of Ureaplasma infections are likely due to the presence or absence of potential pathogenicity factors in individual clinical isolates and patient-to-patient differences in terms of autoimmunity and microbiome .
Recombinant proteins from Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum are used in research to study the biology and pathogenic mechanisms of these bacteria. These recombinant proteins are produced by cloning and expressing the genes of interest in suitable host systems, such as Escherichia coli. The recombinant proteins can be used to develop diagnostic assays, study immune responses, and investigate potential therapeutic targets.
