Identification of Bordetella pertussis virulence-associated outer membraneproteins

Bordetella pertussis virulence-associated 30-, 32-, 90- and 95-kDa outer me mbrane proteins were purified and their N-terminal amino acid sequences wer e determined. The 30- and 32-kDa outer membrane proteins showed identity to the C-terminal region of the precursors of the serum resistance protein (B rkA) and the tracheal colonization factor, respectively. We confirmed the c leavage site of these precursors after N731 for BrkA and after N393 for tra cheal colonization factor. Associated with the 32-kDa outer membrane protei n, we found a new group of 36-kDa virulence-associated peptides. The 95-kDa outer membrane protein showed identity to Vag8. The 90-kDa outer membrane protein did not show homology with the described proteins. We report the N- termini sequence of Vir-90, a novel potential virulence factor. (C) 1999 Fe deration of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.