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Coupled Phase-Variable Expression and Epitope Masking of Selective Surface Lipoproteins Increase Surface Phenotypic Diversity in Mycoplasma hominis

ABSTRACT A new mechanism expanding mycoplasmal surface diversity is described. Exposure of surface epitopes on a constitutively expressed membrane protein (P56) of Mycoplasma hominis was subject to high-frequency phase variation due to phase-variable expression of the P120 antigen and its selective masking of P56 epitopes. Phase-variable masking may confer previously unrealized adaptive capabilities on mycoplasmas.