Recombinant Campylobacter concisus ATP synthase subunit alpha (atpA), partial

Definition and Biological Role

Recombinant Campylobacter concisus ATP synthase subunit alpha (atpA), partial, refers to a genetically engineered fragment of the ATP synthase alpha subunit encoded by the atpA gene in C. concisus. This enzyme is a critical component of the ATP synthase complex, which catalyzes ATP synthesis during oxidative phosphorylation. The "partial" designation indicates that the recombinant protein represents a specific functional or structural domain rather than the full-length subunit .

Genetic and Functional Characteristics

• Gene Context: The atpA gene is a housekeeping gene conserved across Campylobacter species. It encodes the alpha subunit of the F1 sector of ATP synthase, which binds ATP/ADP and facilitates rotational catalysis .

• Recombinant Use: Partial atpA sequences are frequently utilized in multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to study genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among C. concisus strains .

Role in Strain Typing and Pathogenicity Studies

The atpA gene is a key marker in MLST schemes for C. concisus. For example:

Table 1: atpA Allelic Diversity in C. concisus Strains (Adapted from MLST Data)3

• Key Findings:

  • atpA allele variations correlate with strain pathogenicity. For instance, ST1 (allele 4) and ST7 (allele 5) are linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), while ST15 (allele 7) is found in healthy individuals .

  • Recombinant atpA fragments enable precise strain discrimination, aiding in tracking transmission and virulence evolution .

Research Applications

• Phylogenetic Analysis: Partial atpA sequences resolve taxonomic relationships within Campylobacter spp., distinguishing C. concisus from close relatives like C. hyointestinalis and C. sputorum .

• Pathogenicity Insights: Strains with specific atpA alleles (e.g., ST1 and ST7) exhibit enhanced adherence to intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting a role in IBD pathogenesis .

Technical Production and Challenges

• Cloning: The partial atpA gene is amplified via PCR from clinical isolates and cloned into expression vectors (e.g., E. coli BL21) for recombinant protein production .

• Functional Studies: Structural analysis of recombinant atpA reveals conserved motifs critical for ATP synthase assembly, such as nucleotide-binding P-loop domains .

Implications for Diagnostics and Therapeutics

• Biomarker Potential: Allele-specific PCR targeting atpA facilitates rapid detection of pathogenic C. concisus strains in clinical samples .

• Vaccine Development: Conserved regions of the ATP synthase alpha subunit are being explored as antigenic targets .