The bacterial superantigen and superantigen-like proteins.
The bacterial superantigens are protein toxins that bind to major histocompatibility complex class II and T-cell receptor to stimulate large numbers of T cells. The majority are produced by the Gram-positive organisms Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes and are the causative agents in toxic shock syndrome, an acute disease caused by the sudden and massive release of T-cell cytokines into the blood stream. The structure and function of the superantigens has revealed a common architecture that is also shared by another group of staphylococcal virulence factors called the superantigen-like proteins (SSL). Together, this family of structurally related molecules highlights how a common pathogenic organism has employed a simple but adaptable protein to generate an armamentarium of potent defense molecules designed to target of the innate and adaptive immune response.
The Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery & School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, New Zealand. j.d.fraser@auckland.ac.nz
John D
JD
Fraser
Thomas
T
Proft
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000276:immunology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018089:Superantigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004768:Enterotoxins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018089:Superantigens