Detection of the major adhesin P1 in triton shells of virulent Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Filamentous structures designated Triton shells were obtained from virulent Mycoplasma pneumoniae by treatment with Triton X-100. Monoclonal antibodies directed against M. pneumoniae were used in conjunction with radioimmunoprecipitation and Western blotting to detect immunologically reactive polypeptides in Triton shells. The major adhesin, protein P1, was associated with these structures.