M.Pneumoniae P1-C

The P1 adhesin protein is one of the major surface proteins of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It plays a crucial role in the bacterium’s ability to adhere to the respiratory epithelium of the human host. The P1 protein is part of a complex tip-like attachment organelle that includes several other proteins such as P30, P116, HMW1, HMW2, and HMW3 .

The recombinant P1-C protein refers to a recombinant version of the C-terminal region of the P1 adhesin protein. This recombinant protein is expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and contains 362 amino acids. It is often fused to a 6 His Tag to facilitate purification and detection .

The recombinant P1-C protein has been identified as an immunodominant antigen in Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is used in various serological assays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), to detect antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae in patient serum samples. The use of specific antigens like the recombinant P1-C protein helps in distinguishing between current and previous infections, providing a more accurate diagnosis .

Research has shown that the combination of recombinant P1-C protein with other antigens, such as the ATP synthase beta subunit (AtpD), can improve the performance of serological assays. This combination has been found to discriminate maximally between patients infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and healthy subjects, especially for the IgM class of antibodies .

The recombinant P1-C protein is also used in the development of point-of-care diagnostic assays, which are essential for the early and specific diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. These assays are crucial for selecting the appropriate treatment, as Mycoplasma pneumoniae is innately resistant to β-lactam antibiotics, which are commonly used as the first-line treatment for RTIs .