Genetic analysis of Iranian Mycoplasma gallisepticum isolates using gene-targeted sequencing of complete pvpA gene

Authors: NAGHMEH KABIRI, MOHSEN BASHASHATI, MEHDI VASFI MARANDI, MANSOUR BANANI, FERESHTEH SABOURI

Abstract: This study aims to evaluate Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) genetic diversity through the complete sequencing of the pvpA gene among six MG isolates present in industrial poultry from 2015 to 2016. The genetic comparison of these six isolates showed similarities of over 94% and 92% in terms of nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively. The size of the PvpA protein in the studied isolates included three different sizes with 361, 364, and 366 amino acids. The carboxy-terminus of the studied PvpA proteins contained 11 tetrapeptides of P-R-P-M/Q/N motifs with truncation in the proline-rich region. Based on the BLAST analysis, the pvpA genes of six MGs were closely related to isolates from house finch in the USA and the S6 strain. According to the phylogenetic analysis, two isolates were located along with the S6 strain that showed an outgroup association with MG isolates from Germany, China, and the USA. Other isolates of this study were placed in a separate cluster with MGs isolated from Iran during 2006-2013. The results of this study are useful to recognize the circulating genotypes in Iran and their differences from other MGs from different parts of the world. In addition, continuous monitoring of poultry flocks could be significant for obtaining valuable information related to different MG strains and designing effective control strategies.

Keywords: Mycoplasma gallisepticum, MG, pvpA gene, sequencing, chicken, Iran

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