Expression of flagellin proteins of Campylobacter jejuni within microaerobic and aerobic exposures

Campylobacter, one of the emerging foodborne pathogens, is highly adaptable to the external environments by changing its morphology. In the present study, a question of whether the whole-cell antibody would still be effective for its detection even though the morphology of C. jejuni was changed was examined. When microaerophilic C. jejuni was exposed to aerobic conditions for 48 h, its morphological change was detected by confocal laser scanning microscope: Its morphology was confirmed as a spiral-bacilli form in microaerobic condition, however, as a coccoid form with a little spiral-bacilli form, when exposed to aerobic conditions. Also, the expressions of the whole-cell proteins of C. jejuni, and the suppression or induction of newly synthesized proteins in both aerobic and microaerobic conditions were analyzed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis. Additionally, immunoblotting assay with the whole cell antibody for the proteins expressed under the two conditions was performed. It was confirmed that the commercial whole-cell antibody of C. jejuni raised in rabbit was reactive. When analyzed with MALDI-TOF MS, the expressed proteins were confirmed as flagellins. Therefore, even though the morphology changed in aerobic condition, these flagellins were expressed and worked as the eitope proteins, thus making it possible to utilize for the development of an immunosensor for real-time detection of any kind of C. jejuni cell.