glpQ

GlpQ, short for glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase Q, is a bacterial enzyme encoded by the glpQ gene. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of glycerophosphodiesters to glycerol-3-phosphate and an alcohol moiety, playing a role in glycerophospholipid catabolism and nutrient utilization in various bacteria.

GlpQ is distributed across diverse bacterial lineages and is particularly associated with certain spirochetes. In many relapsing fever Borrelia species, glpQ is present and often localized to the periplasm or cell surface. By contrast, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the Lyme disease group, typically lacks glpQ. This difference makes GlpQ a useful feature for differentiating relapsing fever borreliae from Lyme disease–causing borreliae in diagnostic contexts.

Clinically, GlpQ serves as an antigen in serological tests to distinguish relapsing fever infections from Lyme disease. Antibodies against GlpQ are commonly detected in patients with relapsing fever spirochete infections but are usually absent or limited in Lyme borreliosis. Sensitivity can vary by species and assay, so GlpQ is generally used alongside other antigens to improve diagnostic accuracy.

In research, GlpQ is used as a molecular marker for phylogenetic analyses and to study glycerophosphodiester metabolism across bacteria. Its presence or absence among related organisms helps illuminate evolutionary relationships and supports diagnostic development.