Hemin utilization is related to virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a causative agent for bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, and bacteremia. Mechanisms for acquisition of iron by this organism under low-iron conditions were investigated. Siderophore production was not detected by either chemical or biological methods. Its utilization of iron-containing compounds found in human hosts was tested. Both hemin and hemoglobin supported the full growth of S. pneumoniae in a culture lacking other iron sources, while lactoferrin and transferrin failed to do so. A mutant defective in hemin utilization was isolated and was less virulent than wild-type S. pneumoniae in experimental animals.
Tai
S S
SS
Department of Microbiology, Howard University, Washington, D.C. 20059.
Lee
C J
CJ
Winter
R E
RE
D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D006427:Hemin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016296:Mutagenesis; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D006427:Hemin