Clade-1 Vap virulence proteins of Rhodococcus equi are associated with the cell surface and support intracellular growth in macrophages
2025

Study of Clade-1 Vap Proteins in Rhodococcus equi

Sample size: 6 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Zeynep Yerlikaya, Raúl Miranda-CasoLuengo, Yuting Yin, Cheng Cheng, Wim G. Meijer

Primary Institution: University College Dublin

Hypothesis

Cell surface localization is an important characteristic of clade-1 Vap proteins that support intracellular growth.

Conclusion

Only clade-1 Vap proteins are necessary for intracellular growth in macrophages and are the only ones associated with the R. equi cell surface.

Supporting Evidence

  • Only clade-1 Vap proteins support intracellular growth in macrophages.
  • VapA is the only protein located on the cell surface among the six equine Vap proteins.
  • VapK1 and VapK2 are functionally homologous to VapA and also support growth.

Takeaway

Some proteins help a germ called Rhodococcus equi grow inside certain cells, and only a specific group of these proteins can stick to the outside of the germ.

Methodology

The study involved examining the ability of 17 Vap proteins to support intracellular growth in a R. equi ΔvapA strain using various complementation assays.

Limitations

The study does not explore the functions of Vap proteins from other clades.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0316541

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