Is there a protocol for mapping of immunodomiant membrane protein genes?
(Response from Dez Barbara) Phytoplasmas (in common with mycoplasmas, spiroplasmas, etc.) will have a reasonable number of membrane associated proteins – for phytoplasmas we don’t know how many but it is reasonable to guess some dozens. I assume that whilst saying ‘mapping’ the request is for a protocol for the cloning and expression of the immunodominant membrane protein – I can’t see the point of mapping the gene for a new phytoplasma as we know very little of the genome of most phytoplasmas. The problem with this enquiry is that at present for most phytoplasmas there are important factors we don’t know. Published/in press/in preparation I know of immunodominant membrane proteins cloned from eight or so phytoplasmas – the problem is that whilst within a group, say apple proliferation and its relatives including the slightly distant sweet potato witches’ broom, the same protein seems to be immunodominant; however, across the three groups (AP/SPWB, Western X, Aster yellows) three entir
