Recombinant Treponema pallidum p17 protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Treponema pallidum p17 also known as Tp47 is a lipoprotein with a molecular mass of approximately 17 kDa. It is found in the outer membrane of the Treponema pallidum bacterium the causative agent of syphilis. As a structural protein p17 plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the bacterial cell envelope. It interfaces with the host organism during infection facilitating the bacterium's ability to evade the host's immune response.

Biological function summary

Treponema pallidum p17 contributes to the bacterium’s survival and pathogenicity. P17 functions within a lipoprotein framework on the bacterial surface impacting how the bacterium interacts with host tissues. It does not operate independently; instead it forms associations with other outer membrane proteins to create stability and resistance. These interactions enhance the bacterium's defense mechanisms against host immune attacks playing a significant role in the infectious process.

Pathways

Treponema pallidum p17 participates in pathways facilitating bacterial adherence and invasion. It is involved in the motility and adhesion mechanisms critical for successful colonization of host tissues. It associates with proteins like TpN37 and TpN15 facilitating bacterial binding to extracellular matrix components. This pathway is essential for treponemal dissemination throughout the host impacting disease progression by enhancing the bacterium's ability to move and infiltrate host tissues.

Treponema pallidum p17 is closely linked with syphilis and its progression. The presence of p17 assists Treponema pallidum in avoiding immune detection allowing prolonged infection. It interacts with proteins involved in immune evasion such as TpN44. Syphilis complications including neurosyphilis and cardiovascular syphilis arise from p17's role in prolonging infection and increasing bacterial dissemination. These interactions emphasize the importance of p17 in the persistence and exacerbation of syphilitic conditions.