Genome analysis reveals pili in Group B Streptococcus.
Pili are essential virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria; however, they have not been described in most important Gram-positive pathogens. While screening the sequence of multiple genomes of Group B Streptococcus, we identified protective antigens that formed high molecular weight polymers. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the structures have a pilus-like form. These large structures have gone unrecognized in decades of studies of Group B Streptococcus.
Chiron Srl, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Peter
P
Lauer
Cira D
CD
Rinaudo
Marco
M
Soriani
Immaculada
I
Margarit
Domenico
D
Maione
Roberto
R
Rosini
Anna Rita
AR
Taddei
Marirosa
M
Mora
Rino
R
Rappuoli
Guido
G
Grandi
John L
JL
Telford
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009876:Operon; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014774:Virulence
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface