Cytadherence accessory protein 2 (HMW2) (HMW2)

Cytadherence accessory protein 2 (HMW2) is a critical structural and scaffold protein found in Mycoplasma pneumoniae, where it plays an essential role in the assembly and maintenance of the attachment organelle. This organelle is vital for the bacterium's ability to adhere to host respiratory epithelial cells and for its gliding motility, both of which are necessary for colonization and pathogenesis. HMW2 acts as a central component of the terminal organelle's internal cytoskeleton, stabilizing other high molecular weight (HMW) proteins and ensuring the proper localization of the P1 adhesin. In the context of disease, HMW2 is a key virulence factor; mutants lacking this protein are non-adherent and avirulent, making it a significant target for understanding Mycoplasma infections and developing potential anti-infective strategies. While there are currently no clinical drugs specifically targeting HMW2, it remains a subject of research for novel antimicrobial agents and vaccine development aimed at disrupting the bacterial attachment mechanism. Its unique structural properties and essentiality for bacterial survival in the host make it a promising candidate for therapeutic intervention in atypical pneumonia.

Other names

High molecular weight protein 2P1-adhesin accessory protein HMW2Cytadherence-associated protein HMW2HMW2 protein

Inhibition of HMW2-mediated assembly of the attachment organelle to prevent bacterial cytadherence and infection.