MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF A FLAGELLAR CORE PROTEIN GENE OF SERPULINA (TREPONEMA) HYODYSENTERIAE

The flaB2 gene encoding a protein located in the core of the periplasm ic flagella of Serpulina hyodysenteriae was cloned and sequenced. The FlaB2 protein consists of 285 amino acids and has a calculated molecul ar mass of 31.1 kDa. Southern blot analysis indicated that at least on e, and possibly two genes related to flaB2 are present in the genome o f S. hyodysenteriae. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of FlaB2 to sequences present in data banks showed significant similarity with th e core flagellins of other spirochaetes, in particular with a FlaB2 pr otein from Treponema phagedenis.