Regions on Gli349 and Gli521 protein molecules directly involved in movements of Mycoplasma mobile gliding machinery, suggested by use of inhibitory antibodies and mutants.

Mycoplasma mobile glides on solid surfaces by use of a unique mechanism that involves two large proteins, Gli349 and Gli521. Here we isolated and analyzed two antibodies and three mutants that modified mycoplasma gliding. Mapping of the target points of antibodies and mutations currently available suggested that a 301-amino-acid region on the whole 3,138-amino-acid sequence, a C-terminal region of Gli349, and an N-terminal region of Gli521 are directly involved in the movements of the gliding machinery.