title: vfr, a novel locus affecting cysteine protease production in Streptococcus pyogenes.
abstract: A gene unique to Streptococcus pyogenes, called vfr, that negatively regulates speB, an important extracellular proteinase, has been identified. Disruption of vfr markedly increased SpeB production in a clinical strain of S. pyogenes and relieved its growth phase dependency. These findings may provide important insights into the pathogenesis of invasive S. pyogenes infections.
authors.affiliation: Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 500 West Fort St. (Bldg. 45), Boise, ID 83702, USA. yongsheng.ma@va.gov
authors.forename: Yongsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Dan B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Salmi
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McIndoo
authors.forename: Dennis L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D006801:Humans; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005098:Exotoxins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C027951:erythrogenic toxin