The role of complex carbohydrate catabolism in the pathogenesis of invasive streptococci.
Historically, the study of bacterial catabolism of complex carbohydrates has contributed to understanding basic bacterial physiology. Recently, however, genome-wide screens of streptococcal pathogenesis have identified genes encoding proteins involved in complex carbohydrate catabolism as participating in pathogen infectivity. Subsequent studies have focused on specific mechanisms by which carbohydrate utilization proteins might contribute to the ability of streptococci to colonize and infect the host. Moreover, transcriptome and biochemical analyses have uncovered novel regulatory pathways by which streptococci link environmental carbohydrate availability to virulence factor production. Herein we review new insights into the role of complex carbohydrates in streptococcal host-pathogen interaction.
Shelburne
Samuel A
SA
Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Davenport
Michael T
MT
Keith
David B
DB
Musser
James M
JM
D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D037521:Virulence Factors; C008315:maltodextrin