Restriction fragment length polymorphism in the cytadhesin P1 gene of human clinical isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Genomic DNA obtained from Mycoplasma pneumoniae clinical isolates spanning a 30-year period was analyzed for the presence of polymorphism in their P1 cytadhesin genes. All clinical isolates expressed a 170-kilodalton P1 protein that reacted with anti-P1 monoclonal antibodies. However, Southern blot analysis of specific M. pneumoniae isolates with subclones of the P1 structural gene revealed the presence of restriction fragment length polymorphism, permitting the classification of their P1 genes into two distinct categories.