Homology modeling and topology prediction of OMPl1protein in Leptospira

Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by members of the genus Leptospira. These highly invasive spirochetal pathogens are capable of infecting a broad range of mammalian hosts through either direct contact with an infected animal or indirect contact with soil or water contaminated with urine from a chronically infected animal. In humans, acute leptospirosisaccounts for roughly 10% of hospitalizations for acute febrile illness in tropical areas of the world. The kinetics of complement activation and outer membrane particle aggregation indicate that T. pallidum OMPs are important targets of treponemicidal antibody. In order to identify potential leptospiral OMP candidates,we describe the topology and 3D structure of a novel antigen which was discovered by mining the bacterial genome and that is very effective in inducing bactericidal antibodies. This antigen is a very good candidate for inclusion in universal vaccines against Leptospira

Keywords:

Leptospira , OMPl1 , Topology and 3D structure