Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting of Campylobacter pylori proteins.

Whole-cell, outer-membrane protein, flagellum-associated antigens and partially purified urease of Campylobacter pylori were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. C. pylori strains were readily distinguished from strains of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, and C. fetus by absence of major outer membrane proteins with Mrs of 41,000 to 45,000. C. pylori strains also lacked the acidic surface-array proteins at Mr 100,000 to 149,000 identified previously in serum-resistant strains of C. fetus. Surface labeling of intact C. pylori cells with 125I revealed two common major proteins, which we have designated protein 2 (pI 5.6 to 5.8, Mr 66,000) and protein 3 (pI 5.2 to 5.5, Mr 63,000). Proteins 2 and 3 were also the major components (subunits) observed in partially purified urease. Partially purified preparations of flagella consistently contained proteins 2 and 3. Thus, urease appears to be associated with both outer membranes and flagella of C. pylori. C. pylori strains also possessed an antigen at Mr 59,000 which was cross-reactive with antiserum against flagella of C. jejuni. However, the antigen did not appear to be associated with flagella per se in C. pylori. Protein 2 was unique to C. pylori among the Campylobacter species studied. It was not recognized by antibody against whole cells of C. jejuni or C. fetus or flagella of C. jejuni. Protein 3 was cross-reactive with antiserum against whole cells of C. jejuni and C. fetus, as were several other major protein antigens. Because protein 2 is a major outer membrane protein that is apparently unique to C. pylori, development of monospecific antibodies against this antigen may be useful for the identification of C. pylori in tissues, and purified antigen may be useful for serologic tests for specific diagnosis of C. pylori infections.