Mollicutes : Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis.

Intro -- Contents -- Contributors -- Current books of interest -- Preface -- 1: The Contentious Taxonomy of Mollicutes -- Paths to the present -- Current controversies -- Genome sequence-based taxonomy: a path to the future? -- 2: Genomic Mosaics -- The Mollicutes in the era of genomics -- General features of Mycoplasma genomes -- The impact of horizontal gene transfer on Mycoplasma genomics -- Conclusions -- 3: Molecular Genetic Tools for Mollicutes -- Introduction -- Transformation of Mollicutes -- Random mutagenesis through transposition -- Targeted mutagenesis through homologous recombination -- Production of unmarked mutations -- Vectors for gene expression/disruption in Mollicutes -- Gene expression in Mollicutes -- Discussion -- 4: Identification and Characterization of Virulence Genes in Mycoplasmas -- Introduction -- Adhesins -- Invasion -- Toxin production -- Mimicry -- Immune evasion -- Immunostimulation -- Immunosuppression -- Multifunctional proteins -- Protein secretion -- Scavenging complex nutrients -- Other virulence factors -- Regulation of virulence genes -- Challenges for the future -- 5: Post-translational Modification of Proteins in the Mollicutes -- Introduction -- Post-translational protein processing plays a key role in protein secretion -- Signal sequences are critical for trafficking proteins to secretion pathways -- Are signal sequences removed from secreted mycoplasma proteins? -- Signal sequences are removed from secreted proteins in Mycoplasma pneumoniae -- Evidence that proteins are subject to endoproteolytic cleavage in Mycoplasma pneumoniae -- Signal sequences are not removed during secretion of large mass adhesins in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae -- Why are adhesins targets of endoproteolytic cleavage? -- Processing of lipoproteins -- Endoproteolytic processing in Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

Protein phosphorylation and acetylation -- 6: Multifunctional Cytoadherence Factors -- Introduction -- Cytoadherence factors -- Non-proteinaceous cytoadherence factors with multiple functions -- Membrane proteins as cytoadhesins -- Cytoadhesins that are variable in phase, size and antigenicity -- Cytoadhesins that help to move -- Immune evasion -- MSCRAMMs -- Mimicry -- Secreted cytoadhesins -- Moonlighting cytoadhesins -- Vice versa: cytoplasmic factors with cytoadhesive functions -- 7: The Glycocalyx of Mollicutes -- Introduction -- Capsule -- Polysaccharides -- Glycoproteins -- Glycolipids -- Glycoconjugate synthesis machinery -- Summary -- 8: Glycosidase Activity in Mollicutes -- Introduction -- Virulence-associated glycosidases in Mycoplasmas -- Putative roles in cellular biology or disease processes of mycoplasmas -- Acquisition, diversity and evolutionary fitness -- Therapeutic potential -- 9: Current Insights into Phase and Antigenic Variation in Mycoplasmas -- Introduction -- Genetic mechanisms of Mycoplasma phase and antigenic variation at glance -- Genetic events mediating phase and antigenic variation in selected Mycoplasma species -- Biological role and significance of mycoplasma surface antigenic variation -- Outlook and future perspectives -- 10: Spiroplasma Transmission from Insects to Plants -- Introduction -- Infection and replication sites of spiroplasmas in leafhopper vectors -- Development and use of leafhopper cell culture to characterize spiroplasmas-vector interactions -- Spiroplasma plasmids play a key role in the leafhopper transmission -- Spiroplasma citri candidate proteins involved in insect transmission -- Conclusion -- 11: Organization of the Cytoskeletons of Diverse Mollicutes -- Introduction -- Eukaryotic cytoskeletal structure and function -- Prokaryotic cytoskeletal structure and function.

The polar cytoskeleton of Mycoplasma attachment organelles -- Mycoplasma pneumoniae attachment organelle -- Mycoplasma mobile attachment organelle -- Mycoplasma penetrans/ Mycoplasma iowae attachment organelle -- Evolution of the Mycoplasma cytoskeleton -- 12: Gliding Mechanism of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae Subgroup -- Introduction -- Purpose and pathogenicity -- Mechanism used for gliding -- Gliding mechanism of Mycoplasma mobile -- Gliding mechanism of Mycoplasma pneumoniae -- Prospects -- 13: Biofilm Formation by Mycoplasmas -- Introduction -- Biofilms may help explain Mycoplasma persistence and chronicity -- Mycoplasma biofilms - a view from history -- Biofilms represent a natural phenotype -- Biofilm formation by Mycoplasma species -- Biofilm life cycle and morphology -- Intraspecific variation in ability to form a biofilm -- Role of polysaccharide -- Genetic basis of biofilm formation -- The role of biofilms in resistance and persistence -- Resistance to antimicrobial agents and host cell defences -- Resistance to other stress -- Genetic basis for resistance - why are biofilms different? -- Biofilm methods and model systems -- Future of biofilm research -- 14: Host Immune Responses to Mycoplasmas -- Introduction -- Innate immune responses to Mycoplasma lipoproteins -- Cell-mediated immune responses to mycoplasmas -- Antibody responses to Mycoplasmas -- Conclusions -- 15: Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance in Mycoplasmas of Humans and Animals -- Introduction -- In vitro determination of antimicrobial susceptibilities -- Intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial agents in Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas -- Antimicrobial agents active against Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas -- Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and clinical implications -- Summary -- Index.

In this book acknowledged experts critically review the most recent advances in the evolution, genetics and molecular pathogenesis of these important pathogens. Topics covered include: taxonomy; genomic mosaics; molecular genetic tools for mollicutes; identification and characterisation of virulence genes in mycoplasmas; post-translational modification of proteins; multifunctional cytoadherence factors; the glycocalyx; glycosidase activity; phase and antigenic variation in mycoplasmas; spiroplasma transmission from insect to plants; cytoskeletons organization; gliding mechanism of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae subgroup; biofilm formation by mycoplasmas; host immune responses to mycoplasmas; and emerging antimicrobial resistance in mycoplasmas of humans and animals. An essential book for researchers working with mollicutes and recommended reading for everyone interested in bacterial genomics, bacterial pathogenesis and the evolution of bacterial virulence.

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Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2024. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.