Characterization of envelope proteins from Pasteurella haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida

Abstract

A method was devised for the reproducible isolation of envelopes from Pasteurella haemolytica serotype A2. It was also possible to prepare envelopes from other serotypes of P. haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida using this methodology. Examination of these preparations by SDS-PAGE showed major differences between strains of P. haemolytica and strains of P. multocida which allowed the clear distinction of isolates of these species. Amongst the P. haemolytica serotypes it was possible to distinguish envelope preparations made from A biotype and T biotype organisms easily, but it was not possible to identify individual serotypes from each other. Envelope profiles were sufficiently different between the individual P. multocida serotypes examined to allow each to be identified by its polypeptide profile. Experiments using radiolabelling, antibody absorption, and susceptibility to protease digestion, together with heat modifiability and detergent solubility characteristics indicated that 13 of the envelope proteins were probably surface-located. A high molecular mass immunogenic envelope protein was shown, by immunoblotting, to be present in all strains of P. haemolytica and P. multocida examined.