Kilodalton Protein Research Articles

Immunobiological activities of a 55-kilodalton cell surface protein of Prevotella intermedia ATCC 25611.

A protein was extracted from whole cells of Prevotella intermedia ATCC 25611 with sodium lauroylsarcosine and purified by chromatography on a DEAE-Sepharose fast-flow column. The The apparent molecular weight of the protein was 55,000. A mouse polyclonal antibody specific for the protein recognized the cell surface structure of P. intermedia and also reacted with proteins in lysates of other black-pigmented anaerobic bacteria, such as Porphyromonas endodontalis and Prevotella melaninogenica, but not with those in lysates of Porphyromonas gingivalis or with the purified fimbriae of P. gingivalis 381. The N-terminal sequence of the 55-kDa protein showed only low homology with the cell surface proteins of any black-pigmented bacteria reported to date. The level of immunoglobulin G antibody to the antigen was higher in the sera of patients with periodontitis than in the sera of healthy volunteers. The protein induced interleukin-1 alpha, -1 beta, -6, and -8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures and interleukin-1 beta and -6 in human umbilical vascular endothelial cell and gingival fibroblast cultures. The protein induced interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha activities in peritoneal macrophages from C3H/HeJ as well as from C3H/HeN mice and also induced cytokine activities in the sera of both strains of mice primed with muramyldipeptide.

Autoantibody epitope mapping of the 21-hydroxylase antigen in autoimmune Addison's disease.

Patients with idiopathic Addison's disease are characterized by cytoplasmic adrenal autoantibodies, detectable by indirect immunofluorescence of cryocut sections of human adrenal cortex. Recently, autoantibodies that bind a 55-kilodalton protein in the microsomal fraction of adrenal gland extracts identified to be the cytochrome P450 enzyme 21-hydroxylase have been found in Addisonian patient sera. We confirm the finding and report here the autoantigenic epitopes involved in the autoantibody reactivity using recombinant DNA technology. Six cDNA fragments spanning different regions of the 21-hydroxylase gene were expressed as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase in Escherichia coli. Immunoblot analyses were used to evaluate the reactivity of the recombinant proteins with patients' sera to determine the autoepitopes involved. We found that a conserved region (amino acids 164-356) reacted with 25 of 30 adrenal autoantibody-positive sera tested. One serum sample reacted only with the amino portion of the 21-hydroxylase (amino acids 1-162). In addition, 4 other enzymes important to steroid hormone biosynthesis, 11 beta-hydroxylase, 17 alpha-hydroxylase, side-chain cleavage enzyme P450, and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, were expressed in E. coli, but none of them gave positive autoantibody reactions by Western blot assays, even using sera from 5 patients with type I autoimmune polyglandular syndrome. The availability of recombinant antigens has permitted structural analysis of the autoepitopes involved in the autoimmune response to 21-hydroxylase in Addison's disease. Our findings should lead to the development of a simple and specific tool for immunodiagnosis of the disease.

Molecular cloning, sequence analysis, and expression of the gene encoding the immunodominant 32-kilodalton protein of Cowdria ruminantium

Cowdria ruminatium, the causative agent of heartwater disease, expresses an immunodominant and conserved 32-kilodalton protein (MAP1; formerly called Cr32), which is currently in use for serodiagnosis of the disease. The gene encoding this protein, designated map1, was detected, cloned, and characterized. The gene is conserved between four different stocks of C. ruminantium originating from Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Homology searches revealed MAP1 to be homologous to the Anaplasma marginale surface protein MSP4, a potential protective antigen. The MAP1 protein, expressed in Escherichia coli fused with glutathione S-transferase, is specifically recognized by sera from animals infected with seven different stocks of C. ruminantium.

Identification of subspecies- and serotype 1-specific epitopes on the 80- to 90-kilodalton protein region of Chlamydia psittaci that may be useful for diagnosis of Chlamydial induced abortion

Summary Genus-, subspecies-, and serotype 1-specific antigens of Chlamydia psittaci were characterized by immunoblot analysis, using monoclonal antibodies that recognize 2 C psittaci strains: AB7 isolated from an ewe that had aborted, and iBl isolated from feces of a healthy ewe. Genus-specific epitopes were detected on lipopolysaccharide, on a 47-kd protein, and on a 27- to 30-kd doublet. Subspecies-specific epitopes were located on a 30-kd protein, and a 80- to 90-kd protein region was identified, which bore subspecies- and serotype l-specific epitopes. These 80- to 90-kd proteins were highly reactive with serum from ewes that had aborted and could be a useful antigen for diagnosis of Chlamydial induced abortion of ruminants.

Variable expression of epitopes on the surface of Mycoplastna gattisepticum demonstrated with monoclonal antibodies

Twelve monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) strains F, R, S6(208) and PET2 were used for analysis of epitopes of 22 Mg strains. Six Mabs recognized surface epitopes in the majority of strains, but did not react with variant strains like K 503 and K 703. Two Mabs reacted with epitopes on about 56 kilodalton (kDa) proteins and showing consistent expression on Mg colonies. Three Mabs recognized three different variable surface epitopes associated with about 67 kDa proteins and one Mab variable epitope on about 33 and 80 kDa proteins. Two-dimensional immunoblotting showed considerable differences in the charge of proteins bearing variable surface epitopes in different Mg strains. Subcloning of four low passage Mg strains using Mabs for screening populations that derived from a single colony with defined surface epitopes showed that some colonies may switch surface epitopes associated with 67 and 80 kDa proteins. This switching was reversible and generated subpopulations of Mg expressing different combinations of surface epitopes. Phenotypic switching of epitopes probably occurs also in vivo and may be the mechanism enabling Mg to evade the host immune response.

Characterization of a novel 23-kilodalton protein of unactive progesterone receptor complexes.

Immunoprecipitation of unactivated avian progesterone receptor results in the copurification of hsp90, hsp70, and three additional proteins, p54, p50, and p23. p23 is also present in immunoaffinity-purified hsp90 complexes along with hsp70 and another protein, p60. Antibody and cDNA probes for p23 were prepared in an effort to elucidate the significance and function of this protein. Antibodies to p23 detect similar levels of p23 in all tissues tested and cross-react with a protein of the same size in mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, humans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, indicating that p23 is a conserved protein of broad tissue distribution. These antibodies were used to screen a chicken brain cDNA library, resulting in the isolation of a 468-bp partial cDNA clone encoding a sequence containing four sequences corresponding to peptide fragments isolated from chicken p23. This partial clone was subsequently used to isolate a full-length human cDNA clone. The human cDNA encodes a protein of 160 amino acids that does not show homology to previously identified proteins. The chicken and human cDNAs are 88% identical at the DNA level and 96.3% identical at the protein level. p23 is a highly acidic phosphoprotein with an aspartic acid-rich carboxy-terminal domain. Bacterially overexpressed human p23 was used to raise several monoclonal antibodies to p23. These antibodies specifically immunoprecipitate p23 in complex with hsp90 in all tissues tested and can be used to immunoaffinity isolate progesterone receptor complexes from chicken oviduct cytosol.

Nucleotide Sequence and Replication Characteristics of RepHI1B: A Replicon Specific to the IncHI1 Plasmids

The IncHI1 plasmids are multireplicon plasmids. They contain at least three autoreplicative regions, one of which is closely related to the RepFIA replicon of F. Two other IncHI1-specific replicons, RepHI1A and RepHI1B, have been recently isolated and mapped on the R27 (IncHI1) genome (P. Gabant, P. Newnham, D. Taylor, and M. Couturier, J. Bacteriol. 175, 76977701, 1993). In the present work, the DNA sequence of RepHI1B was determined. It reveals DNA repeats of 17 base pairs located upstream and downstream from a gene coding for a 32 kilodalton protein (RepA) required for replication. Interestingly, RepA presents significant homology with other Rep proteins encoded by plasmids belonging to different incompatibility groups: P1 (IncY), Rts1 (IncT), RepFIB (IncFI) and RepHI1A (IncHI1). All these results provide strong evidence that the RepHI1B replicon of the IncHI1 subgroup belongs to the group of plasmids which control their copy number by an iteron mechanism.

Cloning, sequencing, and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene encoding a 45-kilodalton protein, elongation factor Tu, from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar F

The gene encoding a 45-kDa protein (45K) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar F was cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Alignment of the deduced peptide sequence with E. coli elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) demonstrated 69% identity. The 45K was recognized by a Chlamydia genus-specific monoclonal antibody GP-45 and cross-reacted with a monospecific polyclonal antibody to E. coli EF-Tu. Purified recombinant 45K has the capability to bind GDP, and the binding was enhanced in the presence of E. coli elongation factor Ts (EF-Ts). The GDP binding was specifically inhibited by the monoclonal antibody GP-45. These data suggest that the 45K is a chlamydial EF-Tu, and it forms a functional complex with E. coli EF-Ts protein.

Retention of unassembled components of integral membrane proteins by calnexin.

Quality control mechanisms prevent the cell surface expression of incompletely assembled multisubunit receptors such as the T cell receptor (TCR). The molecular chaperone function of calnexin (IP90, p88), a 90-kilodalton protein that resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in the retention of representative chains of the TCR-CD3 complex in the ER was tested. Truncation mutants of calnexin, when transiently expressed in COS cells, were exported from the ER and either accumulated in the Golgi or progressed to the cell surface. CD3 epsilon chains cotransfected with the forms of calnexin that were not retained in the ER exited the ER and colocalized with calnexin. Since engineered calnexin determined the intracellular localization of the proteins associated with it, it is concluded that calnexin interacts with incompletely assembled TCR components and retains them in the ER.

Secretory Synthesis of Active Recombinant Fish Growth Hormone by Insect Cells Using a Baculovirus Vector

A growth hormone cDNA of yellowfin porgy (Acanthopagrus latus) was inserted into baculovirus vectors, pAcT7, under the control of the polyhedrin promoter. A 22-kilodalton (kDa) protein, similar to that of native growth hormone, was detected in the supernatant of insect cells infected with the recombinant virus at the level of 2–8% of total proteins. This protein was immunoprecipitated with rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against native chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) growth hormone. Furthermore, a radiolabeled protein band of 22 kDa was also seen in the recombinant-virus-infected cell culture supernatant after labeling with [35S]methionine. Injection of individual tilapia with 0.1 μg of crude supernatant protein containing recombinant growth hormone once a week resulted in significant increases (p < 0.01) in weight (54%), weight gain (260%), length (21%), and feed efficiency rate (210%) relative to a similarly treated control group and an untreated control group at week 5 onwards.

Absence of an essential regulatory influence of the adenovirus E1B 19-kilodalton protein on viral growth and early gene expression in human diploid WI38, HeLa, and A549 cells

Mutations in the gene encoding the adenovirus (Ad) early region 1B 19-kDa protein (the 19K gene) result in multiple phenotypic effects upon infection of permissive human cells. It has been reported, for example, that Ad type 2 (Ad2) and Ad5 with mutations in the 19K gene (19K-defective mutants) have a marked growth advantage compared with wild-type virus in human diploid WI38 cells (E. White, B. Faha, and B. Stillman, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:3763-3773, 1986), and it was proposed that this host range phenotype stems from the large increase in viral early gene expression reported to occur in the mutant-infected cells. These observations gave rise to the hypothesis that the 19-kDa protein (the 19K protein) normally functions as a negative regulator of Ad early gene expression and growth. We have tested this hypothesis and find that Ad5 and Ad12 wild-type viruses grow as efficiently as their respective 19K-defective mutants, in1 and dl337 and pm700 and in700, in WI38 and other human cell types. Neither the accumulation of E1A cytoplasmic mRNAs nor the synthesis of E1A and other viral early proteins in these cells is altered as a result of these mutations in the 19K gene, and we conclude that the 19K protein does not play an essential role in regulating viral early gene expression or viral growth in human cells.

Cloning of a thyroid hormone‐responsive Rana catesbeiana c‐erbA‐β gene

Two types of thyroid hormone receptor (c-erbA) gene have been identified in mammals and in lower species including chickens and the amphibian Xenopus laevis. The two genes are located on different chromosomes and have been named TR alpha and TR beta. We have described previously the cloning of a TR alpha cDNA from Rana catesbeiana (RC) tissues (RC15) and we now report the cloning of a TR beta cDNA from this species. The cloning strategy employed utilized the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with primers based on the sequences of the X. laevis TR beta cDNA (XenTR beta) and an RCTR beta genomic clone, which, by analogy with XenTR beta, contains some of the 3' end of the open reading frame together with 3'-untranslated sequences. At the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, the cloned RCTR beta cDNA is 90% and 98% homologous with XenTR beta, and 72% and 76% homologous with RC15. Following in vitro transcription and translation, the cDNA was shown to encode a 48 kilodalton protein which binds 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) with high affinity (mean Kd: 0.032 nM). Samples of total or poly(A) +RNA from tadpoles at different stages of metamorphosis and from adult frogs were analyzed for the presence of TR beta-specific transcripts by slot blot analysis using as probe a 258 bp section of the RCTR beta cDNA. This section of the cDNA does not hybridize to the corresponding section of RC15. In confirmation of previous findings, beta-specific transcripts were not detected in RNA from tadpole red blood cells (RBCs) and none was found in RBCs from adult frogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rana catesbeiana tadpole red blood cells express an alpha, but not a beta, c-erbA gene.

Thyroid hormone (TH) receptor number in red blood cells (RBCs) from Rana catesbeiana (RC) tadpoles increases 4-fold during both spontaneous and TH-induced metamorphosis, an effect that we have previously shown to be preceded by an increase in the level of c-erbA-related mRNA. The goals of the present study were to obtain an RC c-erbA alpha cDNA that contains the entire open reading frame for a putative TH receptor protein, to determine if this protein has characteristics typical of a TH receptor, and to assess its contribution to the developmentally related increase in TH receptor number. To accomplish this, the missing 5'-sequence of a previously isolated partial RC c-erbA alpha cDNA (RC12) was synthesized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and spliced to RC12 to yield a 1490-basepair cDNA (RC15) that contained the entire coding sequence of the receptor protein. Transcription of RC15 followed by translation of its mRNA in a rabbit reticulolysate system yielded a 50-kilodalton protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein binds T3 with high affinity (Kd, approximately 0.1 nM), and its affinity for T3 is at least 5 times that for T4. The results of cotransfection studies indicate that RC15 can function as a TH receptor; when COS cells were cotransfected with a construct consisting of RC15 cloned in the expression vector CMV4 and TK28 mult, a construct containing rat GH gene TH response element sequences up-stream of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity is expressed in the presence, but not in the absence, of T3. To determine whether RBCs contain any c-erbA beta mRNA transcripts that might contribute to the developmentally related increase in the transcripts detected using RC c-erbA alpha cDNAs, alpha- and beta-specific cDNAs were synthesized by PCR and used as probes in a variety of hybridization assays. In all experiments using conditions in which c-erbA beta transcripts were detectable in other tissues, there was no evidence that tadpole RBCs contained such species. Lack of any beta-specific transcripts was confirmed by PCR, using as template cDNA prepared by reverse transcription of RC RBC RNA. It was also noted that the RBC at metamorphic climax is the tissue with the highest content of alpha-specific c-erbA transcripts. It is concluded that the c-erbA alpha gene encodes a TH receptor, and that only the alpha-gene is expressed in tadpole RBCs and subject to regulation during development and by TH.

Evidence for the potentiation of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity by association with the detergent-insoluble cellular cytoskeleton: analysis of intact and carboxy-terminally truncated receptors

The ligand-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity of the normal human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and a truncated EGF receptor lacking 164 carboxy-terminal (C-terminal) amino acids was examined in intact cells and after Triton X-100 extraction into Triton-soluble and -insoluble (cytoskeletal) preparations. Detergent extraction of the intact and truncated receptors appeared complete using 0.3% Triton as demonstrated by anti-EGF receptor immunoblots, tyrosine kinase assays, and marker enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) solubilization. Higher Triton concentrations yielded no additional EGF receptor extraction and began to inhibit EGF-stimulated kinase activity toward angiotensin II (AII). Furthermore, the tyrosine kinase activity of the truncated EGF receptor exhibited increased sensitivity to Triton extraction, suggesting a lower affinity or a more labile association of this receptor with the cytoskeleton. However, both EGF receptor forms had altered catalytic activity when associated with the cytoskeletal fraction, as evidenced by the increased phosphorylation of the exogenous substrates: AII, src-peptide, and [Val5]AII. Kinetic analyses of both receptor types revealed that the cytoskeletal fractions obtained using 0.3% Triton contain EGF receptor activity that exhibits a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) for AII that is 2- to 3-fold more favorable than that calculated for the soluble receptor forms. EGF treatment of intact cells containing either the intact or truncated receptor revealed similar phosphorylated proteins in the soluble fraction of both cell types, although there was evidence for the enhanced phosphorylation of certain proteins (e.g. 115 and 50 kilodalton proteins) in cells containing the truncated receptor. There was also a greater number of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in the Triton-insoluble fraction of cells containing the truncated receptor, suggesting an altered specificity of this receptor toward selected cytoskeletal proteins. This work indicates that EGF receptor-cytoskeletal interaction may be an important consideration in the control of receptor-kinase activity and has examined the detergent sensitivity of this association. These studies also suggest that the C-terminal domain of the EGF receptor may affect cytoskeletal interaction in addition to influencing the receptor's catalytic capacity.

Evidence for the potentiation of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity by association with the detergent-insoluble cellular cytoskeleton: analysis of intact and carboxy-terminally truncated receptors.

The ligand-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity of the normal human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and a truncated EGF receptor lacking 164 carboxy-terminal (C-terminal) amino acids was examined in intact cells and after Triton X-100 extraction into Triton-soluble and -insoluble (cytoskeletal) preparations. Detergent extraction of the intact and truncated receptors appeared complete using 0.3% Triton as demonstrated by anti-EGF receptor immunoblots, tyrosine kinase assays, and marker enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) solubilization. Higher Triton concentrations yielded no additional EGF receptor extraction and began to inhibit EGF-stimulated kinase activity toward angiotensin II (AII). Furthermore, the tyrosine kinase activity of the truncated EGF receptor exhibited increased sensitivity to Triton extraction, suggesting a lower affinity or a more labile association of this receptor with the cytoskeleton. However, both EGF receptor forms had altered catalytic activity when associated with the cytoskeletal fraction, as evidenced by the increased phosphorylation of the exogenous substrates: AII, src-peptide, and [Val5]AII. Kinetic analyses of both receptor types revealed that the cytoskeletal fractions obtained using 0.3% Triton contain EGF receptor activity that exhibits a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) for AII that is 2- to 3-fold more favorable than that calculated for the soluble receptor forms. EGF treatment of intact cells containing either the intact or truncated receptor revealed similar phosphorylated proteins in the soluble fraction of both cell types, although there was evidence for the enhanced phosphorylation of certain proteins (e.g. 115 and 50 kilodalton proteins) in cells containing the truncated receptor. There was also a greater number of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in the Triton-insoluble fraction of cells containing the truncated receptor, suggesting an altered specificity of this receptor toward selected cytoskeletal proteins. This work indicates that EGF receptor-cytoskeletal interaction may be an important consideration in the control of receptor-kinase activity and has examined the detergent sensitivity of this association. These studies also suggest that the C-terminal domain of the EGF receptor may affect cytoskeletal interaction in addition to influencing the receptor's catalytic capacity.

Cloning and Characterization of the Mouse Clara Cell-Specific 10-kDa Protein Gene: Comparison of the 5′-Flanking Region with the Human, Rat, and Rabbit Gene

The mouse Clara Cell 10 kiloDalton (kDa) protein (mCC10) cDNA was used to isolate a recombinant phage containing the mCC10 gene sequence in a 14 kilobase (kb) insert from a mouse genomic library. A total of 7.7 kb of this clone was sequenced. The sequenced region included: 3.3 kb of 5′-flanking region, 4.2 kb intragenic sequence and 0.2 kb of DNA flanking the 3′ end of the gene. Computer assisted sequence analysis identified potential cis acting response elements for the glucocorticoid receptor, hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF3) and octamer (Oct1) binding protein. The presence of B1 murine repetitive sequence also has been identified in a similar position reported in rat CC10 5′-flanking sequence. As with the rat CC10, the mCC10 5′-flanking region also contains deletions of a 2.1 kb and a 0.3 kb sequence present in the rabbit uteroglobin gene, these regions are reported to contain a cluster of glucocorticoid/progesterone receptor binding sites and estrogen receptor binding sites, respectively.

Negative correlation with liver cell division of a 38 kilodalton protein whose phosphorylation is enhanced by ras and G-proteins

We showed earlier that the phosphorylation of a 38 kDa protein (p38) from rat liver plasma membrane is stimulated by ras or endogenous G-proteins. We have now estimated the level of expression of p38 in liver tissues from embryos at different stages of development, regenerating liver and also in tumor cell lines of hepatic origin. Our results indicate that the expression of p38 is negatively correlated with cell division. It is suggested that the phosphorylation of p38, an event which is regulated by ras proteins and G-proteins, could be involved in signal transduction processes associated with the inhibitory regulation of cell division.

Characterization of a presynaptic glutamate receptor.

Glutamate receptors mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the brain and are important in the formation of memory and in some neurodegenerative disorders. A complementary DNA clone that encoded a 33-kilodalton protein (GR33) was obtained by screening a library with an antibody generated against glutamate binding proteins. The sequence of GR33 is identical to that of the recently reported presynaptic protein syntaxin. When GR33 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, it formed glutamate-activated ion channels that are pharmacologically similar to those of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors but with different electrophysiological properties. Mutation of the leucine 278 residue in the single putative transmembrane segment of GR33 affects the properties of the channel. Thus, in vivo GR33 may be a presynaptic glutamate receptor.

Systemic and mucosal humoral responses to Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer.

The systemic IgG response to Helicobacter pylori was examined in 70 patients with gastric cancer. H pylori IgG antibodies were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serological recognition of H pylori antigens was characterised by western blotting. A percentage of 78.5 were seropositive by ELISA. Two of five patients under age 50 were seronegative. Positivity was unrelated to age, sex, tumour type, or site. Ninety one per cent of ELISA positive cancer patients recognised the H pylori cytotoxin associated 120 kilodalton (kD) protein, significantly more than a control group of 47 ELISA positive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (72%). Four of 15 ELISA negative cancer patients also showed recognition of this protein in western blots. Mucosal IgA responses to H pylori were examined by immunoblotting supernatants of in vitro cultured resected antral mucosa in an overlapping group of 19 gastric cancer patients. Eighteen had a positive response, including 10 of 11 negative for H pylori by biopsy urease testing. The systemic and local immunoblotting results show that the high seroprevalence of H pylori antibodies detected by ELISA is nevertheless an underestimate of past infection. Dyspepsia screening policies based solely on H pylori ELISA would miss some young patients with gastric cancer. Further study of the relation of the H pylori cytotoxin to gastric precancerous lesions is warranted.

An immunoblotting diagnostic assay for heartwater based on the immunodominant 32-kilodalton protein of Cowdria ruminantium detects false positives in field sera

Heartwater, a major constraint to improved livestock production in Zimbabwe, threatens to invade areas which have been previously unaffected. To monitor its spread in Zimbabwe, an immunoblotting diagnostic assay based on the responses of animals to the immunodominant, conserved 32-kDa protein of Cowdria ruminantium was evaluated. In this assay, no false reactions were detected with sera known to be positive and negative, but sera from some cattle, sheep, and goats from heartwater-free areas of Zimbabwe reacted strongly with the 32-kDa protein, suggesting that either these animals had previous exposure to heartwater or they were false positives. To investigate the possibility of previous exposure to heartwater, 11 immunoblot-positive and 6 immunoblot-negative sheep from heartwater-free areas of Zimbabwe were compared regarding their susceptibilities to challenge with C. ruminantium. Prior to challenge, C. ruminantium could not be detected in any sheep by transmission to Amblyomma hebraeum ticks or by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conducted with plasma samples. All sheep were equally susceptible to the challenge, and infection was confirmed by brain biopsy, necropsy, PCR, and transmission of C. ruminantium to ticks. Our data suggest that the immunoblot-positive reactions of sera from heartwater-free areas were due not to previous C. ruminantium infection but rather to antigenic cross-reactivity between C. ruminantium and another agent(s) such as Ehrlichia species. In conclusion, the immunodominant 32-kDa protein is not antigenically specific to C. ruminantium and its use in serological diagnosis of heartwater requires reevaluation.