Studies of Ribosomal Antigens from Pasteurella pestis
Abstract
Several laboratories have shown that ribosomal fractions isolated from four virulent species of bacteria protect animals against challenge with the homologous live virulent organism. To examine the efficacy of using these procedures to prepare protective antigens against Pasteurella pestis, ribosomes were isolated from mechanically disrupted virulent P. pestis strain Kim 10. RNA was isolated by both ethanol precipitation and phenol extraction of ribosomes. Ribosomal protein was extracted with acidified 2-chloroethanol. Both the RNA and protein preparations were free of VW and Fraction I antigens. Ribosomal antigens were injected into animals in doses ranging from 10 to 500 micrograms with Freund's complete adjuvant. In general, none of the ribosomal antigens protected satisfactorily against challenge doses of 300 LD50 of P. pestis. Less than 10% of the animals survived challenge. Sera from animals that survived challenge after immunization with ribosomal proteins contained antibodies to both the ribosomal protein and Fraction I. Animals surviving challenge after immunization with ethanol-precipitated RNA produced antibodies to both the RNA preparation and Fraction I. However, the antibodies against the RNA preparation were directed against the protein moieties and not RNA. Phenol-extracted RNA failed to elicit any antibody response but animals surviving challenge after immunization with this RNA preparation did have antibodies to Fraction I.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0866108
Entities
People
- William R. Johnson