Protein M

Not to be confused with M protein.
IgG-blocking protein M
Identifiers
SymbolM_MG281
InterProIPR030943
Uncharacterized protein MG281
Identifiers
OrganismMycoplasma genitalium ATCC 33530
SymbolMG281
UniProtP47523
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StructuresSwiss-model
DomainsInterPro

Protein M (locus MG281) is an immunoglobulin-binding protein originally found on the cell surface of the human pathogenic bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium. It is presumably a universal antibody-binding protein, as it is known to be reactive against all antibody types tested so far. It is capable of preventing the antigen-antibody interaction due to its high binding affinity to any antibody. The Scripps Research Institute announced its discovery in 2014.[1] It was detected from the bacterium while investigating its role in patients with a cancer, multiple myeloma.[2][3]

Homologous proteins are found in other Mycoplasma bacteria.[2] Mycoplasma pneumoniae, another human pathogen, has a homolog termed IbpM (locus MPN400).[4]

  1. ^ "The Ultimate Decoy: Scripps Research Institute Scientists Find Protein that Helps Bacteria Misdirect Immune System". The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b Grover RK, Zhu X, Nieusma T, Jones T, Boreo I, MacLeod AS, et al. (February 2014). "A structurally distinct human mycoplasma protein that generically blocks antigen-antibody union". Science. 343 (6171): 656–661. Bibcode:2014Sci...343..656G. doi:10.1126/science.1246135. PMC 3987992. PMID 24503852.
  3. ^ Hofer U (April 2014). "Bacterial physiology: mycoplasmal protein binds antibodies". Nature Reviews. Microbiology. 12 (4): 234–235. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3233. PMID 24531616. S2CID 8739794.
  4. ^ Blötz C, Singh N, Dumke R, Stülke J (2020). "Characterization of an Immunoglobulin Binding Protein (IbpM) From Mycoplasma pneumoniae". Frontiers in Microbiology. 11: 685. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2020.00685. PMC 7176901. PMID 32373096.