Pertactin autotransporter protein (PRN)

Pertactin (PRN) is a 69 kDa outer membrane protein produced by Bordetella pertussis, the primary causative agent of whooping cough (UniProt: P14283). It belongs to the Type Va autotransporter family and functions as a critical adhesin, facilitating the attachment of the bacteria to the ciliated epithelial cells of the human respiratory tract via its Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif (PubMed: 10456918). Pertactin is a major component of modern acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines, where it serves as a key immunogen to elicit protective antibody responses in the host (CDC, 2023). Despite its inclusion in widely used vaccines like DTaP and Tdap, there has been a significant global increase in the prevalence of pertactin-deficient B. pertussis strains (PubMed: 24331314). These strains are thought to have a selective advantage in highly vaccinated populations, potentially contributing to the resurgence of pertussis and reduced vaccine effectiveness (PubMed: 30115502). Consequently, pertactin remains a focal point for monitoring bacterial evolution and developing next-generation pertussis vaccines.

Other names

P.6969 kDa outer membrane proteinPertactinPRN antigenBordetella pertussis P.69 antigen

Induction of active immunity through the production of specific IgG antibodies that inhibit bacterial adhesion to host respiratory epithelial cells (PubMed: 10456918).