T.pallidum p17 (Partial)
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Treponema pallidum is a spirochete bacterium responsible for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection. The bacterium has several proteins that play crucial roles in its pathogenicity and immune evasion. One such protein is the p17 protein, also known as TpN17 or 17 kDa lipoprotein. The recombinant form of this protein, particularly the partial recombinant, has been extensively studied for its potential applications in diagnostic assays and research.
The p17 protein of Treponema pallidum is a lipoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 17 kDa. It is encoded by the TP_0435 gene in the Nichols strain of Treponema pallidum. The recombinant form of this protein is typically expressed in Escherichia coli to ensure high yield and purity. The recombinant p17 protein is often produced with a purity greater than 90%, making it suitable for various applications such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and Western blotting (WB) .
The p17 protein is an immunodominant antigen, meaning it elicits a strong immune response in infected individuals. This makes it a valuable target for serological tests aimed at diagnosing syphilis. The protein is involved in the bacterium’s ability to adhere to host tissues and evade the host immune system. Its lipoprotein nature allows it to integrate into the bacterial membrane, contributing to the bacterium’s structural integrity and pathogenic mechanisms.
Recombinant p17 protein has been evaluated for its performance in serological diagnosis of syphilis. Studies have shown that it can achieve high accuracy in detecting Treponema pallidum infections. For instance, the sensitivity and specificity of p17 in various diagnostic assays have been reported to be quite high, making it a reliable marker for syphilis diagnosis . The use of recombinant proteins like p17 in immunoassays provides greater reliability and consistency in test results, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
The recombinant p17 protein is also used in research to study the immune response to Treponema pallidum. By understanding how the immune system interacts with this protein, researchers can develop better diagnostic tools and potentially new therapeutic approaches. The protein’s role in immune evasion and pathogenicity makes it a focal point for studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms of syphilis infection.
