title: Stabilized plasmid-based system for bioluminescent labeling of multiple streptococcal species.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if multiple streptococcal species can be easily labeled for biophotonic imaging using a toxin-antitoxin stabilized reporter plasmid containing the native firefly luciferase gene, originally developed for use in Group A Streptococcus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A number of streptococcal species including Group B Streptococcus, Group C Streptococcus, Group G Streptococcus, S. iniae, S. vestibularis, and S. salivarius were successfully transformed with the reporter plasmid. In absence of antibiotic selection, the plasmid had variable stability amongst the six strains. The expression of firefly luciferase was highest in Group B Streptococcus and S. iniae, as observed by the brightest signal and lowest detection limits in vitro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple streptococcal species can be easily transformed with our toxin-antitoxin stabilized bioluminescent reporter plasmid. However, this plasmid shows variable stability and signal in different species, restricting its use for certain applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. mj.loh@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Jacelyn M S
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. t.proft@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Proft
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000032:analysis; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D049408:Luminescent Agents; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly
keywords: Bioluminescence; Biophotonic imaging; Firefly luciferase; Streptococcus spp.; Toxin–antitoxin system