Immunological analysis of plasma membranes of a T-strain of mycoplasma (Ureaplasma urealyticum).

The cell membranes of a T-strain of mycoplasma, obtained by ultrasonic disruption, were as effective as whole organisms in eliciting metabolism-inhibiting and complement-fixing antibodies. The soluble fraction separated from cell membranes by centrifugation at 35,000 X g showed a minor ability to elicit an antibody response as measured by metabolism inhibition and complement fixation tests. After a further centrifugation at 100,000 X g, the immunogenic activity of the soluble fraction was completely lost. Immunogenic determinants in mycoplasma membranes could also be demonstrated by adsorption tests; cell membranes were more effective than soluble fractions in adsorbing antibody capacity from the immune sera against whole cells. It has been shown by further experiments that cell membranes have at least two major antigenic determinants, which differ either in chemical nature or in capacity to adsorb and evoke antibodies, characterized by different serological behaviors.