T.pallidum TmpA
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Treponema pallidum is the bacterium responsible for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection. The bacterium is a spirochete, characterized by its spiral shape and motility. One of the key proteins associated with Treponema pallidum is TmpA, a lipoprotein that plays a significant role in the bacterium’s pathogenicity and immune response.
TmpA (Treponema membrane protein A) is a 47-kDa lipoprotein found in the outer membrane of Treponema pallidum. It is one of the major antigens recognized by the immune system during syphilis infection. The protein is involved in the bacterium’s adherence to host cells and evasion of the host immune response. TmpA is highly conserved among different strains of Treponema pallidum, making it a valuable target for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Recombinant TmpA refers to the TmpA protein that has been produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the gene encoding TmpA into a suitable expression system, such as Escherichia coli, to produce large quantities of the protein. Recombinant TmpA is used in various research and diagnostic applications, including the development of serological tests for syphilis.
Recombinant TmpA has been extensively studied for its potential in syphilis diagnosis. Several studies have evaluated the performance of TmpA in serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and Western blotting. These tests detect antibodies against TmpA in the serum of infected individuals, providing a reliable method for diagnosing syphilis.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, the diagnostic performance of TmpA was assessed using sera from individuals with syphilis and those with unrelated diseases. The results showed that TmpA had a high specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 80% . Another study published in Frontiers in Microbiology reported that TmpA had a sensitivity of 90.6% and a specificity of 100% for syphilis detection .
Recombinant TmpA is also used in research to study the pathogenesis of Treponema pallidum and the host immune response. By understanding how TmpA interacts with host cells and evades the immune system, researchers can develop new strategies for preventing and treating syphilis. Additionally, TmpA is used as a model antigen in vaccine development, with the aim of creating an effective syphilis vaccine.
