Stenotrophomonas SKA14 cDNA and Antigen

Stenotrophomonas SKA14 is a Gram-negative bacterium that has been isolated from various environmental sources, including soil and water. The bacterium is known for its ability to degrade a wide range of environmental pollutants, making it a potential candidate for bioremediation applications. In addition to its environmental importance, Stenotrophomonas SKA14 also possesses several surface antigens that have been implicated in its pathogenicity and virulence, including the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1, membrane protein, and Rickettsia 17 kDa surface antigen.

The Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) is a viral antigen that is expressed by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a herpesvirus that infects humans. The presence of EBNA1 in Stenotrophomonas SKA14 is intriguing as it suggests that the bacterium has acquired genetic material from EBV or a related virus through horizontal gene transfer. EBNA1 is known to play a role in the pathogenesis of EBV-associated diseases, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but its function in Stenotrophomonas SKA14 is not yet fully understood.

The membrane protein of Stenotrophomonas SKA14 is a surface-exposed protein that is involved in bacterial adhesion and invasion. It has been shown to interact with host cells and facilitate bacterial entry, making it a potential target for the development of new therapeutics and vaccines. The membrane protein is also thought to be involved in biofilm formation, which is a critical factor in the persistence of bacterial infections.

The Rickettsia 17 kDa surface antigen is a conserved protein that is found in various Rickettsia species, including Rickettsia prowazekii, the causative agent of epidemic typhus. Its presence in Stenotrophomonas SKA14 suggests that the bacterium may have acquired genetic material from a Rickettsia species through horizontal gene transfer. The function of the Rickettsia 17 kDa surface antigen in Stenotrophomonas SKA14 is not yet clear, but it is thought to be involved in bacterial adhesion and invasion.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has skyrocketed. However, in heterologous expression systems, successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on a variety of factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content. When compared to pre-optimization, more and more experimental results demonstrated that the expression level was dramatically increased, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform that has resulted in the creation of over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), which are ready for production of the recombinant proteins.

The application of Stenotrophomonas SKA14 cDNA and recombinant antigen to diagnose active pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected individuals is a promising new diagnostic technique. This approach is based on the detection of the gene encoding the immunodominant antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SKA14, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The recombinant antigen is then used to detect active infection in HIV-infected individuals, who are at a higher risk of tuberculosis than the general population. In addition, this technique offers an advantage over other tuberculosis diagnostic tests, such as sputum smear microscopy and culture, as it can detect the presence of tuberculosis-causing bacteria, even in patients with low bacterial loads. This technique is also faster and cheaper than traditional methods, making it more accessible to those in developing countries.