CwpV Protein in Clostridium difficile: Variability and Function
Author Information
Author(s): Catherine B. Reynolds, Jenny E. Emerson, Lucia de la Riva, Robert P. Fagan, Neil F. Fairweather
Primary Institution: Imperial College London
Hypothesis
How does the CwpV protein contribute to the pathogenicity of Clostridium difficile?
Conclusion
CwpV is an aggregation-promoting factor that varies antigenically between strains of Clostridium difficile.
Supporting Evidence
- CwpV promotes aggregation of C. difficile, which may be important for host colonization.
- Five distinct repeat types of CwpV were identified, showing antigenic variability.
- CwpV expression is phase variable, controlled by a site-specific recombinase.
Takeaway
CwpV is a protein on the surface of a germ that helps it stick together and can change shape to avoid being attacked by the body's defenses.
Methodology
The study involved genetic manipulation of C. difficile strains to analyze the expression and function of the CwpV protein.
Limitations
The study did not exhaustively analyze all possible CwpV types across all C. difficile strains.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website