Regulation of protein H expression in M1 serotype isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes.
Protein H is an immunoglobulin-binding protein expressed by certain M1 serotypes of Streptococcus pyogenes. In a recent study of invasive group A isolates, it was found that none of the 16 M1 serotype isolates analyzed expressed protein H on their surface despite the presence of the protein H gene (sph) in approximately one-third of the isolates. Selection of stable protein H-expressing variants could be achieved by infection of prtH(+) non-expressing strains into a mouse skin and recovering bacteria from the spleen. This effect was independent of the transcription regulator Mga, since a similar effect was noted in an mga(-) mutant. Thus, host passage of S. pyogenes can lead to stable high level expression of Protein H.
Smith
Tara C
TC
Department of Microbiology and Immunology Medical College of Ohio, 3055 Arlington Avenue, 43614-5806, Toledo, OH, USA.
Sledjeski
Darren D
DD
Boyle
Michael D P
MD
D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D012703:Serotyping; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014774:Virulence
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C064006:protein H, Streptococcus; C068267:mry protein, Streptococcus pyogenes