Metastasis‐Promoting Activity of a Novel Molecule, Ag 243‐5, Derived from Mycoplasma, and the Complete Nucleotide Sequence

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Abstract
We found that mycoplasma‐infected cells have a higher ability to metastasize in vivo than non‐mycoplasma‐infected cells. To investigate this phenomenon, we obtained a monoclonal antibody, MAb 243‐5, by immunization with Mycoplasma arginini‐infected RPMI 4788 cells. This MAb recognized a mycoplasmal protein with an MW of 47 kDa and completely inhibited the experimental metastasis of M. arginini‐infected RPMI 4788 cells using a nude mouse model. Using this MAb, we purified a molecule called Ag 243‐5 and determined the N‐terminal amino acid sequence and clarified the entire nucleotide sequence of the Ag 243‐5 gene. PCR analysis showed the existence of a homologous gene in Mycoplasma hyorhinis. Four sequential injections of Ag 243‐5 (30 μg/shot) promoted the experimental metastasis of non‐mycoplasma‐infected RPMI 4788 cells more than 10‐fold using a nude mouse model. Ag 243‐5 also promoted the experimental metastasis of the non‐mycoplasma‐infected mouse colon cancer cell line colon 26. This metastasis‐promoting effect was neutralized by MAb 243‐5.