A novel streptococcal surface protease promotes virulence, resistance to opsonophagocytosis, and cleavage of human fibrinogen

Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli induce distinct effector γδ T cell responses during neonatal sepsis

Neonates born prematurely are vulnerable to life-threatening conditions such as bacterial sepsis. Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) and Escherichia coli are frequent causative pathogens of neonatal sepsis, however, it remains unclear if these pathogens induce differential immune responses. We find that γδ T cells rapidly respond to single-organism GBS and E. coli bloodstream infections in neonatal mice. Furthermore, GBS and E. coli induce distinct cytokine production from IFN-γ and IL-17 producing γδ T cells, respectively. We also find that IL-17 production during E. coli infection is driven by γδTCR signaling, whereas IFN-γ production during GBS infection occurs independently of γδTCR signaling. The divergent effector responses of γδ T cells during GBS and E. coli infections impart distinctive neuroinflammatory phenotypes on the neonatal brain. Thus, the neonatal adaptive immune system differentially responds to distinct bacterial stimuli, resulting in unique neuroinflammatory phenotypes.

Molecular epidemiology, drug resistance, and virulence gene analysis of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from dairy goats in backyard farms in China

Streptococcus agalactiae infections may lead to clinical or subclinical mastitis in dairy animals when it invades the mammary gland. In this study, 51 S. agalactiae strains were isolated from 305 milk samples that were collected from goats with mastitis in 13 provinces of China. The antimicrobial resistance of S. agalactiae was determined by disk diffusion methods against 18 antibiotics from six classes. In addition, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and the presence of resistance and virulence genes was determined by PCR analysis. Seven sequence types in five clonal complexes were identified according to MLST; CC103 and CC67 strains were predominant, with rates of 45.1% and 39.2%, respectively. All isolates (100%) were multiresistant to three or more antimicrobial agents. S. agalactiae isolates had a 100% resistance rate to penicillin, oxacillin, and amoxicillin, followed by doxycycline (82.4%), tetracycline (76.5%), and amikacin (74.5%). The lowest resistance was observed for ciprofloxacin (29.4%), which varied in five different regions. The detection rates of six classes of antimicrobial-related genes were calculated as follows: 33 (64.7%) for β-lactam-related resistance gene, 12 (23.5%) for tetracyclines, 11 (21.6%) for quinolone-related resistance genes, 10 (19.6%) for aminoglycosides, 7 (13.7%) for macrolides (ermA, ermB, and mefA), and 3 (5.9%) for lincosamide (lnu(B)). Regarding virulence genes, profile 1 (bca cfb-cspA-cylE-hylB-bibA-pavA-fbsA-fbsB) was the most prevalent, with a detection rate of 54.9%. This work provides a primary source related to the molecular epidemiology of S. agalactiae in dairy goat herds in China and will aid in the clinical treatment, prevention, and control of mastitis.

Virulence Factor Genes and Cytotoxicity of Streptococcus agalactiae Isolated from Bovine Mastitis in Poland

Streptococcus agalactiae can produce a wide variety of virulence factors, including toxins and proteins which facilitate adhesion to and colonization and invasion of the host cells. There are few reports on the characteristics of field isolates from bovine mastitis in Poland. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of types of hemolysis on blood agar, virulence factor genes, and cytotoxicity of S. agalactiae isolates derived from cows with mastitis across Poland. The study included 68 isolates. Virulence genes were tested using standard PCR, and cytotoxicity was determined using methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tests. Among the tested isolates, 89.7% were β-hemolytic, 8.8% γ-hemolytic, and 1.5% alpha-hemolytic. The only genes detected in all isolates were the cfb, cspA, hylB, and sip genes. Cytotoxicity assessment based on the LDH test revealed that isolates were cytotoxic only to Vero cells. However, according to the results obtained from the MTT test, more than half of the isolates exhibited low cytotoxicity to both SK and Vero cells, whereas the other isolates showed moderate or no cytotoxicity to both cell lines. Our research confirms the prevalence of various virulence genes in S. agalactiae isolated from Polish dairy herds, which have previously been found in isolates recovered from human and animal infections. For the first time, the presence of bac- and scpB-positive isolates of S. agalactiae was determined in Polish dairy cattle, and the cytotoxicity of bovine isolates was assessed. IMPORTANCE We believe that this manuscript is one of the few reports on the characteristics of field S. agalactiae isolates derived from cases of bovine mastitis in cows in Poland in terms of the occurrence of virulence genes and cytotoxicity. For the first time, the presence of bac- and scpB-positive isolates of S. agalactiae was determined in Polish dairy cattle, and the cytotoxicity of bovine isolates was assessed.

Pneumococcal Extracellular Serine Proteases: Molecular Analysis and Impact on Colonization and Disease

The pathobiont Streptococcus pneumoniae causes life-threatening diseases, including pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, or non-invasive infections such as otitis media. Serine proteases are enzymes that have been emerged during evolution as one of the most abundant and functionally diverse group of proteins in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. S. pneumoniae expresses up to four extracellular serine proteases belonging to the category of trypsin-like or subtilisin-like family proteins: HtrA, SFP, PrtA, and CbpG. These serine proteases have recently received increasing attention because of their immunogenicity and pivotal role in the interaction with host proteins. This review is summarizing and focusing on the molecular and functional analysis of pneumococcal serine proteases, thereby discussing their contribution to pathogenesis.

The Role of Streptococcal Cell-Envelope Proteases in Bacterial Evasion of the Innate Immune System

Bacteria possess the ability to evolve varied and ingenious strategies to outwit the host immune system, instigating an evolutionary arms race. Proteases are amongst the many weapons employed by bacteria, which specifically cleave and neutralize key signalling molecules required for a coordinated immune response. In this article, we focus on a family of S8 subtilisin-like serine proteases expressed as cell-envelope proteases (CEPs) by group A and group B streptococci. Two of these proteases known as Streptococcus pyogenes CEP (SpyCEP) and C5a peptidase cleave the chemokine CXCL8 and the complement fragment C5a, respectively. Both CXCL8 and C5a are potent neutrophil-recruiting chemokines, and by neutralizing their activity, streptococci evade a key defence mechanism of innate immunity. We review the mechanisms by which CXCL8 and C5a recruit neutrophils and the characterization of SpyCEP and C5a peptidase, including both in vitro and in vivo studies. Recently described structural insights into the function of this CEP family are also discussed. We conclude by examining the progress of prototypic vaccines incorporating SpyCEP and C5a peptidase in their preparation. Since streptococci-producing SpyCEP and C5a peptidase are responsible for a considerable global disease burden, targeting these proteases by vaccination strategies or by small-molecule antagonists should provide protection from and promote the resolution of streptococcal infections.

Extracellular Pneumococcal Serine Proteases Affect Nasopharyngeal Colonization

Streptococcus pneumoniae has evolved versatile strategies to colonize the nasopharynx of humans. Colonization is facilitated by direct interactions with host cell receptors or via binding to components of the extracellular matrix. In addition, pneumococci hijack host-derived extracellular proteases such as the serine protease plasmin(ogen) for ECM and mucus degradation as well as colonization. S. pneumoniae expresses strain-dependent up to four serine proteases. In this study, we assessed the role of secreted or cell-bound serine proteases HtrA, PrtA, SFP, and CbpG, in adherence assays and in a mouse colonization model. We hypothesized that the redundancy of serine proteases compensates for the deficiency of a single enzyme. Therefore, double and triple mutants were generated in serotype 19F strain EF3030 and serotype 4 strain TIGR4. Strain EF3030 produces only three serine proteases and lacks the SFP encoding gene. In adherence studies using Detroit-562 epithelial cells, we demonstrated that both TIGR4Δcps and 19F mutants without serine proteases or expressing only CbpG, HtrA, or PrtA have a reduced ability to adhere to Detroit-562 cells. Consistent with these results, we show that the mutants of strain 19F, which preferentially colonizes mice, abrogate nasopharyngeal colonization in CD-1 mice after intranasal infection. The bacterial load in the nasopharynx was monitored for 14 days. Importantly, mutants showed significantly lower bacterial numbers in the nasopharynx two days after infection. Similarly, we detected a significantly reduced pneumococcal colonization on days 3, 7, and 14 post-inoculations. To assess the impact of pneumococcal serine proteases on acute infection, we infected mice intranasally with bioluminescent and invasive TIGR4 or isogenic triple mutants expressing only CbpG, HtrA, PrtA, or SFP. We imaged the acute lung infection in real-time and determined the survival of the mice. The TIGR4lux mutant expressing only PrtA showed a significant attenuation and was less virulent in the acute pneumonia model. In conclusion, our results showed that pneumococcal serine proteases contributed significantly to pneumococcal colonization but played only a minor role in pneumonia and invasive diseases. Because colonization is a prerequisite for invasive diseases and transmission, these enzymes could be promising candidates for the development of antimicrobials to reduce pneumococcal transmission.

Enzyme-MOF Nanoreactor Activates Nontoxic Paracetamol for Cancer Therapy

Prodrug activation, by exogenously administered enzymes, for cancer therapy is an approach to achieve better selectivity and less systemic toxicity than conventional chemotherapy. However, the short half-lives of the activating enzymes in the bloodstream has limited its success. Demonstrated here is that a tyrosinase-MOF nanoreactor activates the prodrug paracetamol in cancer cells in a long-lasting manner. By generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depleting glutathione (GSH), the product of the enzymatic conversion of paracetamol is toxic to drug-resistant cancer cells. Tyrosinase-MOF nanoreactors cause significant cell death in the presence of paracetamol for up to three days after being internalized by cells, while free enzymes totally lose activity in a few hours. Thus, enzyme-MOF nanocomposites are envisioned to be novel persistent platforms for various biomedical applications.

Streptococcus agalactiae Non-Pilus, Cell Wall-Anchored Proteins: Involvement in Colonization and Pathogenesis and Potential as Vaccine Candidates

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains an important etiological agent of several infectious diseases including neonatal septicemia, pneumonia, meningitis, and orthopedic device infections. This pathogenicity is due to a variety of virulence factors expressed by Streptococcus agalactiae. Single virulence factors are not sufficient to provoke a streptococcal infection, which is instead promoted by the coordinated activity of several pathogenicity factors. Such determinants, mostly cell wall-associated and secreted proteins, include adhesins that mediate binding of the pathogen to host extracellular matrix/plasma ligands and cell surfaces, proteins that cooperate in the invasion of and survival within host cells and factors that neutralize phagocytosis and/or modulate the immune response. The genome-based approaches and bioinformatics tools and the extensive use of biophysical and biochemical methods and animal model studies have provided a great wealth of information on the molecular structure and function of these virulence factors. In fact, a number of new GBS surface-exposed or secreted proteins have been identified (GBS immunogenic bacterial adhesion protein, leucine-rich repeat of GBS, serine-rich repeat proteins), the three-dimensional structures of known streptococcal proteins (αC protein, C5a peptidase) have been solved and an understanding of the pathogenetic role of "old" and new determinants has been better defined in recent years. Herein, we provide an update of our current understanding of the major surface cell wall-anchored proteins from GBS, with emphasis on their biochemical and structural properties and the pathogenetic roles they may have in the onset and progression of host infection. We also focus on the antigenic profile of these compounds and discuss them as targets for therapeutic intervention.

Intrinsic Maturational Neonatal Immune Deficiencies and Susceptibility to Group B Streptococcus Infection

Although a normal member of the gastrointestinal and vaginal microbiota, group B Streptococcus (GBS) can also occasionally be the cause of highly invasive neonatal disease and is an emerging pathogen in both elderly and immunocompromised adults. Neonatal GBS infections are typically transmitted from mother to baby either in utero or during passage through the birth canal and can lead to pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis within the first few months of life. Compared to the adult immune system, the neonatal immune system has a number of deficiencies, making neonates more susceptible to infection. Recognition of GBS by the host immune system triggers an inflammatory response to clear the pathogen. However, GBS has developed several mechanisms to evade the host immune response. A comprehensive understanding of this interplay between GBS and the host immune system will aid in the development of new preventative measures and therapeutics.

The sensor histidine kinase RgfC affects group B streptococcal virulence factor expression independent of its response regulator RgfA

Group B streptococci (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) are beta-hemolytic, Gram-positive bacteria that are common asymptomatic colonizers of healthy adults. However, these opportunistic bacteria also cause invasive infections in human newborns and in certain adult populations. To adapt to the various environments encountered during its disease cycle, GBS encodes a number of two-component signaling systems. Previous studies have indicated that the TCS comprising the sensor histidine kinase RgfC and the response regulator RgfA mediate GBS binding to extracellular matrix components, such as fibrinogen. However, in certain GBS clinical isolates, a point mutation in rgfA results in premature truncation of the response regulator. The truncated RgfA protein lacks the C-terminal DNA binding domain necessary for promoter binding and gene regulation. Here, we show that deletion of rgfC in GBS strains lacking a functional RgfA increased systemic infection. Furthermore, infection with the rgfC mutant increased induction of proinflammatory signaling pathways in vivo. Phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that 19 phosphopeptides corresponding to 12 proteins were differentially phosphorylated at aspartate, cysteine, serine, threonine, or tyrosine residues in the rgfC mutant. This included aspartate phosphorylation of a tyrosine kinase, CpsD, and a transcriptional regulator. Consistent with this observation, microarray analysis of the rgfC mutant indicated that >200 genes showed altered expression compared to the isogenic wild-type strain and included transcriptional regulators, transporters, and genes previously associated with GBS pathogenesis. Our observations suggest that in the absence of RgfA, nonspecific RgfC signaling affects the expression of virulence factors and GBS pathogenesis.

A conserved domain is crucial for acceptor substrate binding in a family of glucosyltransferases

Serine-rich repeat glycoproteins (SRRPs) are highly conserved in streptococci and staphylococci. Glycosylation of SRRPs is important for bacterial adhesion and pathogenesis. Streptococcus agalactiae is the leading cause of bacterial sepsis and meningitis among newborns. Srr2, an SRRP from S. agalactiae strain COH1, has been implicated in bacterial virulence. Four genes (gtfA, gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD) located downstream of srr2 share significant homology with genes involved in glycosylation of other SRRPs. We have shown previously that gtfA and gtfB encode two glycosyltransferases, GtfA and GtfB, that catalyze the transfer of GlcNAc residues to the Srr2 polypeptide. However, the function of other glycosyltransferases in glycosylation of Srr2 is unknown. In this study, we determined that GtfC catalyzed the direct transfer of glucosyl residues to Srr2-GlcNAc. The GtfC crystal structure was solved at 2.7 Å by molecular replacement. Structural analysis revealed a loop region at the N terminus as a putative acceptor substrate binding domain. Deletion of this domain rendered GtfC unable to bind to its substrate Srr2-GlcNAc, concurrently abolished the glycosyltransferase activity of GtfC, and also altered glycosylation of Srr2. Furthermore, deletion of the corresponding regions from GtfC homologs also abolished their substrate binding and enzymatic activity, indicating that this region is functionally conserved. In summary, we have determined that GtfC is important for the glycosylation of Srr2 and identified a conserved loop region that is crucial for acceptor substrate binding from GtfC homologs in streptococci. These findings shed new mechanistic insight into this family of glycosyltransferases.

Potential of known and short prokaryotic protein motifs as a basis for novel peptide-based antibacterial therapeutics: a computational survey

Short linear motifs (SLiMs) are functional stretches of protein sequence that are of crucial importance for numerous biological processes by mediating protein-protein interactions. These motifs often comprise peptides of less than 10 amino acids that modulate protein-protein interactions. While well-characterized in eukaryotic intracellular signaling, their role in prokaryotic signaling is less well-understood. We surveyed the distribution of known motifs in prokaryotic extracellular and virulence proteins across a range of bacterial species and conducted searches for novel motifs in virulence proteins. Many known motifs in virulence effector proteins mimic eukaryotic motifs and enable the pathogen to control the intracellular processes of their hosts. Novel motifs were detected by finding those that had evolved independently in three or more unrelated virulence proteins. The search returned several significantly over-represented linear motifs of which some were known motifs and others are novel candidates with potential roles in bacterial pathogenesis. A putative C-terminal G[AG].$ motif found in type IV secretion system proteins was among the most significant detected. A KK$ motif that has been previously identified in a plasminogen-binding protein, was demonstrated to be enriched across a number of adhesion and lipoproteins. While there is some potential to develop peptide drugs against bacterial infection based on bacterial peptides that mimic host components, this could have unwanted effects on host signaling. Thus, novel SLiMs in virulence factors that do not mimic host components but are crucial for bacterial pathogenesis, such as the type IV secretion system, may be more useful to develop as leads for anti-microbial peptides or drugs.

Characterization of fibrinogen binding by glycoproteins Srr1 and Srr2 of Streptococcus agalactiae

The serine-rich repeat glycoproteins of Gram-positive bacteria comprise a large family of cell wall proteins. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) expresses either Srr1 or Srr2 on its surface, depending on the strain. Srr1 has recently been shown to bind fibrinogen, and this interaction contributes to the pathogenesis of GBS meningitis. Although strains expressing Srr2 appear to be hypervirulent, no ligand for this adhesin has been described. We now demonstrate that Srr2 also binds human fibrinogen and that this interaction promotes GBS attachment to endothelial cells. Recombinant Srr1 and Srr2 bound fibrinogen in vitro, with affinities of K_D = 2.1 × 10⁻⁵ and 3.7 × 10⁻⁶m, respectively, as measured by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The binding site for Srr1 and Srr2 was localized to tandem repeats 6–8 of the fibrinogen Aα chain. The structures of both the Srr1 and Srr2 binding regions were determined and, in combination with mutagenesis studies, suggest that both Srr1 and Srr2 interact with a segment of these repeats via a “dock, lock, and latch” mechanism. Moreover, properties of the latch region may account for the increased affinity between Srr2 and fibrinogen. Together, these studies identify how greater affinity of Srr2 for fibrinogen may contribute to the increased virulence associated with Srr2-expressing strains.

SecA localization and SecA-dependent secretion occurs at new division septa in group B Streptococcus

Exported proteins of Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS), which include proteins localized to the bacterial surface or secreted into the extracellular environment, are key players for commensal and pathogenic interactions in the mammalian host. These proteins are transported across the cytoplasmic membrane via the general SecA secretory pathway and those containing the so-called LPXTG sorting motif are covalently attached to the peptidoglycan by sortase A. How SecA, sortase A, and LPXTG proteins are spatially distributed in GBS is not known. In the close relative Streptococcus pyogenes, it was shown that presence of the YSIRKG/S motif (literally YSIRKX3Gx2S) in the signal peptide (SP) constitutes the targeting information for secretion at the septum. Here, using conventional and deconvolution immunofluorescence analyses, we have studied in GBS strain NEM316 the localization of SecA, SrtA, and the secreted protein Bsp whose signal peptide contains a canonical YSIRKG/S motif (YSLRKykfGlaS). Replacing the SP of Bsp with four other SPs containing or not the YSIRKG/S motif did not alter the localized secretion of Bsp at the equatorial ring. Our results indicate that secretion and cell wall-anchoring machineries are localized at the division septum. Cell wall- anchored proteins displayed polar (PilB, Gbs0791), punctuate (CspA) or uniform distribution (Alp2) on the bacterial surface. De novo secretion of Gbs0791 following trypsin treatment indicates that it is secreted at the septum, then redistributed along the lateral sides, and finally accumulated to the poles. We conclude that the ±YSIRK SP rule driving compartimentalized secretion is not true in S. agalactiae.

CsrRS and environmental pH regulate group B streptococcus adherence to human epithelial cells and extracellular matrix

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus or GBS) is a common colonizer of the gastrointestinal and genital tracts and an important cause of invasive infections in newborn infants and in adults with predisposing chronic conditions or advanced age. Attachment to epithelial surfaces at mucosal sites is a critical step in the successful colonization of a human host, and regulation of this process is likely to play an important role in both commensalism and dissemination to cause invasive disease. We found that inactivation of the CsrRS (or CovRS) two-component system increased GBS adherence to epithelial cells derived from human vaginal, cervical, and respiratory epithelium, as well as increasing adherence to extracellular matrix proteins and increasing biofilm formation on polystyrene. Neutral (as opposed to acidic) pH enhanced GBS binding to vaginal epithelial cells and to fibrinogen and fibronectin, effects that were partially dependent on CsrRS. The regulatory effects of CsrRS and environmental pH on bacterial adherence correlated with their effects on the expression of multiple surface adhesins, as assessed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. We conclude that GBS adherence to epithelial and abiotic surfaces is regulated by the CsrRS two-component system and by environmental pH through their regulatory effects on the expression of bacterial surface adhesins. Dynamic regulation of GBS adherence enhances the organism's adaptability to survival in multiple niches in the human host.

Activation and proteolytic activity of the Treponema pallidum metalloprotease, pallilysin

Treponema pallidum is a highly invasive pathogen that undergoes rapid dissemination to establish widespread infection. Previous investigations identified the T. pallidum adhesin, pallilysin, as an HEXXH-containing metalloprotease that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage and degrades laminin and fibrinogen. In the current study we characterized pallilysin's active site, activation requirements, cellular location, and fibrin clot degradation capacity through both in vitro assays and heterologous treponemal expression and degradation studies. Site-directed mutagenesis showed the pallilysin HEXXH motif comprises at least part of the active site, as introduction of three independent mutations (AEXXH [H¹⁹⁸A], HAXXH [E¹⁹⁹A], and HEXXA [H²⁰²A]) abolished pallilysin-mediated fibrinogenolysis but did not adversely affect host component binding. Attainment of full pallilysin proteolytic activity was dependent upon autocatalytic cleavage of an N-terminal pro-domain, a process which could not occur in the HEXXH mutants. Pallilysin was shown to possess a thrombin cleavage site within its N-terminal pro-domain, and in vitro studies confirmed cleavage of pallilysin with thrombin generates a truncated pallilysin fragment that has enhanced proteolytic activity, suggesting pallilysin can also exploit the host coagulation process to facilitate protease activation. Opsonophagocytosis assays performed with viable T. pallidum demonstrated pallilysin is a target of opsonic antibodies, consistent with a host component-interacting, surface-exposed cellular location. Wild-type pallilysin, but not the HEXXA mutant, degraded fibrin clots, and similarly heterologous expression of pallilysin in the non-invasive spirochete Treponema phagedenis facilitated fibrin clot degradation. Collectively these results identify pallilysin as a surface-exposed metalloprotease within T. pallidum that possesses an HEXXH active site motif and requires autocatalytic or host-mediated cleavage of a pro-domain to attain full host component-directed proteolytic activity. Furthermore, our finding that expression of pallilysin confers upon T. phagedenis the capacity to degrade fibrin clots suggests this capability may contribute to the dissemination potential of T. pallidum.

Syphilis, caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum, is a chronic sexually transmitted disease which infects 12 million people annually. Treponema pallidum is highly invasive and undergoes widespread dissemination via the circulatory system. Similar to other invasive pathogens, T. pallidum has been shown to express a host-component-degrading protease, pallilysin, that binds and degrades human fibrinogen and laminin, suggesting a role for pallilysin in bacterial dissemination. Here we identify pallilysin active site residues using mutagenesis and show that, unlike wild-type, mutants fail to degrade fibrinogen. We show that pallilysin is converted into a highly proteolytically active form via truncation of a pro-domain through either autocatalytic cleavage or host-derived, thrombin-mediated cleavage. We also demonstrate that recombinant pallilysin enables clot dissolution and that pallilysin expressed on the surface of the non-invasive spirochete Treponema phagedenis confers the ability to degrade fibrin clots. Further, we show that pallilysin is present on the surface of T. pallidum and thus resides in a cellular location that facilitates direct contact with host components. Our study provides insight into the mechanism of interaction between pallilysin and two important coagulation system proteins, fibrinogen and thrombin, and suggests a novel mechanism that T. pallidum may utilize for dissemination during infection.

Serine/threonine phosphatase Stp1 mediates post-transcriptional regulation of hemolysin, autolysis, and virulence of group B Streptococcus

Elucidating how serine/threonine phosphatases regulate kinase function and bacterial virulence is critical for our ability to combat these infections. Group B streptococci (GBS) are β-hemolytic Gram-positive bacteria that cause invasive infections in humans. To adapt to environmental changes, GBS encodes signaling mechanisms comprising two component systems and eukaryotic-like enzymes. We have previously described the importance of the serine/threonine kinase Stk1 to GBS pathogenesis. However, how the presence or absence of the cognate serine/threonine phosphatase Stp1 affects Stk1 function and GBS virulence is not known. Here, we show that GBS deficient only in Stp1 expression are markedly reduced for their ability to cause systemic infections, exhibit decreased β-hemolysin/cytolysin activity, and show increased sensitivity to autolysis. Although transcription of genes important for β-hemolysin/cytolysin expression and export is similar to the wild type (WT), 294 genes (excluding stp1) showed altered expression in the stp1 mutant and included autolysin genes. Furthermore, phosphopeptide enrichment analysis identified that 35 serine/threonine phosphopeptides, corresponding to 27 proteins, were unique to the stp1 mutant. This included phosphorylation of ATP synthase, DNA and RNA helicases, and proteins important for cell division and protein synthesis. Collectively, our results indicate that Stp1 is important for appropriate regulation of Stk1 function, hemolysin activity, autolysis, and GBS virulence.

Bifunctional role of the Treponema pallidum extracellular matrix binding adhesin Tp0751

Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, is a highly invasive pathogenic spirochete capable of attaching to host cells, invading the tissue barrier, and undergoing rapid widespread dissemination via the circulatory system. The T. pallidum adhesin Tp0751 was previously shown to bind laminin, the most abundant component of the basement membrane, suggesting a role for this adhesin in host tissue colonization and bacterial dissemination. We hypothesized that similar to that of other invasive pathogens, the interaction of T. pallidum with host coagulation proteins, such as fibrinogen, may also be crucial for dissemination via the circulatory system. To test this prediction, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methodology to demonstrate specific binding of soluble recombinant Tp0751 to human fibrinogen. Click-chemistry-based palmitoylation profiling of heterologously expressed Tp0751 confirmed the presence of a lipid attachment site within this adhesin. Analysis of the Tp0751 primary sequence revealed the presence of a C-terminal putative HEXXH metalloprotease motif, and in vitro degradation assays confirmed that recombinant Tp0751 purified from both insect and Escherichia coli expression systems degrades human fibrinogen and laminin. The proteolytic activity of Tp0751 was abolished by the presence of the metalloprotease inhibitor 1,10-phenanthroline. Further, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry showed that Tp0751 binds zinc and calcium. Collectively, these results indicate that Tp0751 is a zinc-dependent, membrane-associated protease that exhibits metalloprotease-like characteristics. However, site-directed mutagenesis of the HEXXH motif to HQXXH did not abolish the proteolytic activity of Tp0751, indicating that further mutagenesis studies are required to elucidate the critical active site residues associated with this protein. This study represents the first published description of a T. pallidum protease capable of degrading host components and thus provides novel insight into the mechanism of T. pallidum dissemination.

Changing molecular epidemiology of group B streptococcus in Korea

The prevalence of group B streptococcus (GBS) among pregnant women and disease burdens in neonates and adults are increasing in Korea. Colonizing isolates, collected by screening pregnant women (n=196), and clinical isolates collected from clinical patients throughout Korea (n=234), were serotyped and screened for antibiotic resistance. Serotype III (29.8%) and V (27.7%) predominated, followed by Ia (17.0%). Antibiotic resistance was higher among clinical than colonizing isolates for erythromycin (35.1% and 26.9%; P=0.10) and for clindamycin (49.4% and 42.1%; P=0.17). erm(B) occurred in 91.9% of erythromycin resistant isolates, and 84.0% of isolates resistant to clindamycin. Only five isolates (4.2%) resistant to erythromycin were susceptible to clindamycin; by contrast, and unique to Korea, 34% of isolates resistant to clindamycin were erythromycin susceptible. Among these 60 erythromycin-susceptible & clindamycin-resistant isolates, 88% was serotype III, and lnu(B) was found in 89% of strains. Four fifths of the serotype V isolates were resistant to both erythromycin and clindamycin. Further characterization of the genetic assembly of these resistance conferring genes, erm(B) and lnu(B), will be useful to establish the clonal lineages of multiple resistance genes carrying strains.

Chemokine-cleaving Streptococcus pyogenes protease SpyCEP is necessary and sufficient for bacterial dissemination within soft tissues and the respiratory tract

SpyCEP is a Streptococcus pyogenes protease that cleaves CXCL8/IL-8 and its activity is associated with human invasive disease severity. We investigated the role of SpyCEP in S. pyogenes necrotizing fasciitis and respiratory tract infection in mice using isogenic strains differing only in SpyCEP expression. SpyCEP cleaved human CXCL1, 2, 6 and 8 plus murine CXCL1 and 2 at a structurally conserved site. Mice were infected in thigh muscle with a strain of S. pyogenes that expresses a high level of SpyCEP, or with an isogenic non-SpyCEP expressing strain. SpyCEP expression by S. pyogenes hindered bacterial clearance from muscle, and enhanced bacterial spread, associated with cleavage of murine chemoattractant CXCL1. Mice were then infected with Lactococcus lactis strains that differed only in SpyCEP expression. In contrast to the parent L. lactis strain (lacks SpyCEP), which was avirulent when administered intramuscularly, infection with a strain that expressed SpyCEP heterologously led to dramatic systemic illness within 24 h, failure to clear bacteria from muscle and marked dissemination to other organs. In the upper airways, SpyCEP expression was required for survival of L. lactis but not S. pyogenes. However, dissemination of S. pyogenes to the lung was SpyCEP-dependent and was associated with evidence of chemokine cleavage. Taken together, the studies provide clear evidence that SpyCEP is necessary and sufficient for systemic bacterial dissemination from a soft tissue focus in this model and also underlies dissemination in the respiratory tract.

Simple sequence repeats and genome plasticity in Streptococcus agalactiae

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and their role in phase variation have been extensively studied in Gram-negative organisms, where they have been associated with antigenic variation and other adaptation strategies. In this study, we apply comparative genomics in order to find evidence of slipped-strand mispairing in the human Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae. In two consecutive screenings, 2,233 (650 + 1,583) SSRs were identified in our reference genome 2603V/R, and these loci were examined in seven other S. agalactiae genomes. A total of 56 SSR loci were found to exhibit variation, where gain or loss of repeat units was observed in at least one other genome, resulting in aberrant genotypes. Homopolymeric adenine tracts predominated among the repeats that varied. Positional analysis revealed that long polyadenine tracts were overrepresented in the 5' ends of open reading frames (ORFs) and underrepresented in the 3' ends. Repeat clustering in ORFs was also examined, and the highest degree of clustering was observed for a capsule biosynthesis gene and a pilus sortase. A statistical analysis of observed over expected ratios suggested a selective pressure against long homopolymeric tracts. Altered phenotypes were verified for three genes encoding surface-attached proteins, in which frameshifts or fusions led to truncation of proteins and/or affected surface localization through loss or gain of the cell wall sorting signal. The data suggest that SSRs contributes to genome plasticity in S. agalactiae but that the bet-hedging strategy is different from Gram-negative organisms.

The cell envelope subtilisin-like proteinase is a virulence determinant for Streptococcus suis

Background

Streptococcus suis is a major swine pathogen and zoonotic agent that mainly causes septicemia, meningitis, and endocarditis. It has recently been suggested that proteinases produced by S. suis (serotype 2) are potential virulence determinants. In the present study, we screened a S. suis mutant library created by the insertion of Tn917 transposon in order to isolate a mutant deficient in a cell surface proteinase. We characterized the gene and assessed the proteinase for its potential as a virulence factor.

Results

Two mutants (G6G and M3G) possessing a single Tn917 insertion were isolated. The affected gene coded for a protein (SSU0757) that shared a high degree of identity with Streptococccus thermophilus PrtS (95.9%) and, to a lesser extent, with Streptococcus agalactiae CspA (49.5%), which are cell surface serine proteinases. The SSU0757 protein had a calculated molecular mass of 169.6 kDa and contained the catalytic triad characteristic of subtilisin family proteinases: motif I (Asp₂₀₀), motif II (His₂₃₉), and motif III (Ser₅₆₈). SSU0757 also had the Gram-positive cell wall anchoring motif (Leu-Pro-X-Thr-Gly) at the carboxy-terminus, which was followed by a hydrophobic domain. All the S. suis isolates tested, which belonged to different serotypes, possessed the gene encoding the SSU0757 protein. The two mutants devoid of subtilisin-like proteinase activity had longer generation times and were more susceptible to killing by whole blood than the wild-type parent strain P1/7. The virulence of the G6G and M3G mutants was compared to the wild-type strain in the CD1 mouse model. Significant differences in mortality rates were noted between the P1/7 group and the M3G and G6G groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In summary, we identified a gene coding for a cell surface subtilisin-like serine proteinase that is widely distributed in S. suis. Evidences were brought for the involvement of this proteinase in S. suis virulence.

Correlation between Group B Streptococcal Genotypes, Their Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles, and Virulence Genes among Pregnant Women in Lebanon

The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of 76 Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococci [GBS]) isolates from vaginal specimens of pregnant women near term were correlated to their genotypes generated by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis and their virulence factors encoding genes cylE, lmb, scpB, rib, and bca by PCR. Based on the distribution of the susceptibility patterns, six profiles were generated. RAPD analysis detected 7 clusters of genotypes. The cylE gene was present in 99% of the isolates, the lmb in 96%, scpB in 94.7%, rib in 33%, and bca in 56.5% of isolates. The isolates demonstrated a significant correlation between antimicrobial resistance and genotype clusters denoting the distribution of particular clones with different antimicrobial resistance profiles, entailing the practice of caution in therapeutic options. All virulence factors encoding genes were detected in all seven genotypic clusters with rib and bca not coexisting in the same genome.

Acquisition of factor H by a novel surface protein on group B Streptococcus promotes complement degradation

Binding of the host complement regulator, factor H (FH), by some pathogenic microbes constitutes an important virulence mechanism, whereby complement is broken down to help microbes survive in the host. Although it has been hypothesized for the past two decades that GBS type III binds FH via sialic acid present on its capsule, neither the binding of FH to GBS has been demonstrated nor the mechanism of interaction identified. We observed that FH bound to both wild-type and capsule or sialic acid-deficient GBS that were used as negative controls. Wild-type and acapsular GBS were incubated with serum or pure FH degraded almost 90% of C3b, suggesting that the GBS-bound FH maintained cofactor activity. In addition, dot-blot analysis showed approximately 5-10% of C5 and C9 formation, as compared to an Escherichia coli control, suggesting breakdown at the C3b level. Protease treatment of the bacteria completely abolished binding of FH. Using overlay assays and mass spectroscopic analysis, we identified the FH receptor as the streptococcal histidine triad (SHT) surface protein. The ability of binding FH to SHT was further confirmed by using recombinant SHT. This report describes the identification of the SHT as an FH-binding protein on the surface of GBS type III, revealing a novel mechanism by which the bacterium acquires FH to evade complement opsonization.

Transcriptome adaptation of group B Streptococcus to growth in human amniotic fluid

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus) is a bacterial pathogen that causes severe intrauterine infections leading to fetal morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of GBS infection in this environment is poorly understood, in part because we lack a detailed understanding of the adaptation of this pathogen to growth in amniotic fluid. To address this knowledge deficit, we characterized the transcriptome of GBS grown in human amniotic fluid (AF) and compared it with the transcriptome in rich laboratory medium.

METHODS

GBS was grown in Todd Hewitt-yeast extract medium and human AF. Bacteria were collected at mid-logarithmic, late-logarithmic and stationary growth phase. We performed global expression microarray analysis using a custom-made Affymetrix GeneChip. The normalized hybridization values derived from three biological replicates at each growth point were obtained. AF/THY transcript ratios representing greater than a 2-fold change and P-value exceeding 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We have discovered that GBS significantly remodels its transcriptome in response to exposure to human amniotic fluid. GBS grew rapidly in human AF and did not exhibit a global stress response. The majority of changes in GBS transcripts in AF compared to THY medium were related to genes mediating metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and nucleotides. The majority of the observed changes in transcripts affects genes involved in basic bacterial metabolism and is connected to AF composition and nutritional requirements of the bacterium. Importantly, the response to growth in human AF included significant changes in transcripts of multiple virulence genes such as adhesins, capsule, and hemolysin and IL-8 proteinase what might have consequences for the outcome of host-pathogen interactions.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Our work provides extensive new information about how the transcriptome of GBS responds to growth in AF, and thus new leads for pathogenesis research.

Surfome analysis as a fast track to vaccine discovery: identification of a novel protective antigen for Group B Streptococcus hypervirulent strain COH1

Safe recombinant vaccines, based on a small number of antigenic proteins, are emerging as the most attractive, cost-effective solution against infectious diseases. In the present work, we confirmed previous data from our laboratory showing that whole viable bacterial cell treatment with proteases followed by the identification of released peptides by mass spectrometry is the method of choice for the rapid and reliable identification of vaccine candidates in Gram-positive bacteria. When applied to the Group B Streptococcus COH1 strain, 43 surface-associated proteins were identified, including all the protective antigens described in the literature as well as a new protective antigen, the cell wall-anchored protein SAN_1485 belonging to the serine-rich repeat protein family. This strategy overcomes the difficulties so far encountered in the identification of novel vaccine candidates and speeds up the entire vaccine discovery process by reducing the number of recombinant proteins to be tested in the animal model.

Understanding the regulation of Group B Streptococcal virulence factors

Bacterial infections remain a significant threat to the health of newborns and adults. Group B Streptococci (GBS) are Gram-positive bacteria that are common asymptomatic colonizers of healthy adults. However, this opportunistic organism can also subvert suboptimal host defenses to cause severe invasive disease and tissue damage. The increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant GBS raises more concerns for sustained measures in treatment of the disease. A number of factors that are important for virulence of GBS have been identified. This review summarizes the functions of some well-characterized virulence factors, with an emphasis on how GBS regulates their expression. Regulatory and signaling molecules are attractive drug targets in the treatment of bacterial infections. Consequently, understanding signaling responses of GBS is essential for elucidation of pathogenesis of GBS infection and for the identification of novel therapeutic agents.

SufA - a bacterial enzyme that cleaves fibrinogen and blocks fibrin network formation

Finegoldia magna is a member of the normal human bacterial flora on the skin and other non-sterile body surfaces, but this anaerobic coccus is also an important opportunistic pathogen. SufA was the first F. magna proteinase to be isolated and characterized. Many bacterial pathogens interfere with different steps of blood coagulation, and here we describe how purified SufA efficiently and specifically cleaves fibrinogen in human plasma. SufA is both secreted by F. magna and associated with the bacterial surface. Successful gene targeting has previously not been performed in anaerobic cocci, but in order to study the role of the SufA that is present at the bacterial surface, we constructed an F. magna mutant that expresses a truncated SufA lacking proteolytic activity. In contrast to wild-type bacteria that delayed the coagulation of human plasma, mutant bacteria had no such effect. Wild-type and mutant bacteria adhered to keratinocytes equally well, but in a plasma environment only wild-type bacteria blocked the formation of fibrin networks surrounding adherent bacteria. The effective cleavage of fibrinogen by SufA suggests that the interference with fibrin network formation represents an adaptive mechanism of F. magna with potential implications also for pathogenicity.

Streptococcus agalactiae CspA is a serine protease that inactivates chemokines

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus [GBS]) remains a leading cause of invasive infections in neonates and has emerged as a pathogen of the immunocompromised and elderly populations. The virulence mechanisms of GBS are relatively understudied and are still poorly understood. Previous evidence indicated that the GBS cspA gene is necessary for full virulence and the cleavage of fibrinogen. The predicted cspA product displays homology to members of the extracellular cell envelope protease family. CXC chemokines, many of which can recruit neutrophils to sites of infection, are important signaling peptides of the immune system. In this study, we purified CspA and demonstrated that it readily cleaved the CXC chemokines GRO-alpha, GRO-beta, GRO-gamma, neutrophil-activating peptide 2 (NAP-2), and granulocyte chemotactic protein 2 (GCP-2) but did not cleave interleukin-8. CspA did not cleave a panel of other test substrates, suggesting that it possesses a certain degree of specificity. CXC chemokines also underwent cleavage by whole GBS cells in a cspA-dependent manner. CspA abolished the abilities of three representative CXC chemokines, GRO-gamma, NAP-2, and GCP-2, to attract and activate neutrophils. Genetic and biochemical evidence indicated that CspA is a serine protease with S575 at its active site. D180 was also implicated as part of the signature serine protease catalytic triad, and both S575 and D180 were required for both N-terminal and C-terminal autocatalytic processing of CspA.

Global transcriptional profiling reveals Streptococcus agalactiae genes controlled by the MtaR transcription factor

Background

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus; GBS) is a significant bacterial pathogen of neonates and an emerging pathogen of adults. Though transcriptional regulators are abundantly encoded on the GBS genome, their role in GBS pathogenesis is poorly understood. The mtaR gene encodes a putative LysR-type transcriptional regulator that is critical for the full virulence of GBS. Previous studies have shown that an mtaR^- mutant transports methionine at reduced rates and grows poorly in normal human plasma not supplemented with methionine. The decreased virulence of the mtaR mutant was correlated with a methionine transport defect; however, no MtaR-regulated genes were identified.

Results

Microarray analysis of wild-type GBS and an mtaR mutant revealed differential expression of 12 genes, including 1 upregulated and 11 downregulated genes in the mtaR mutant. Among the downregulated genes, we identified a cluster of cotranscribed genes encoding a putative methionine transporter (metQ1NP) and peptidase (pdsM). The expression of four genes potentially involved in arginine transport (artPQ) and arginine biosynthesis (argGH) was downregulated and these genes localized to two transcriptional units. The virulence factor cspA, which encodes an extracellular protease, was downregulated. Additionally, the SAN_1255 locus, which putatively encodes a protein displaying similarity to plasminogen activators, was downregulated.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the global influence of MtaR on GBS gene expression. This study implicates the metQ1NP genes as encoding the MtaR-regulated methionine transporter, which may provide a mechanistic explanation for the methionine-dependent growth defect of the mtaR mutant. In addition to modulating the expression of genes involved in metabolism and amino acid transport, inactivation of mtaR affected the expression of other GBS genes implicated in pathogenesis. These findings suggest the possibility that MtaR may play a multifaceted role in GBS pathogenesis by regulating the expression of numerous genes.

Recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of group B Streptococcus virulence

Group B Streptococcus commonly colonises healthy adults without symptoms, yet under certain circumstances displays the ability to invade host tissues, evade immune detection and cause serious invasive disease. Consequently, Group B Streptococcus remains a leading cause of neonatal pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. Here we review recent information on the bacterial factors and mechanisms that direct host-pathogen interactions involved in the pathogenesis of Group B Streptococcus infection. New research on host signalling and inflammatory responses to Group B Streptococcus infection is summarised. An understanding of the complex interplay between Group B Streptococcus and host provides valuable insight into pathogen evolution and highlights molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.

Remodeling of the Streptococcus agalactiae transcriptome in response to growth temperature

Background

To act as a commensal bacterium and a pathogen in humans and animals, Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) must be able to monitor and adapt to different environmental conditions. Temperature variation is a one of the most commonly encountered variables.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To understand the extent to which GBS modify gene expression in response to temperatures encountered in the various hosts, we conducted a whole genome transcriptome analysis of organisms grown at 30°C and 40°C. We identified extensive transcriptome remodeling at various stages of growth, especially in the stationary phase (significant transcript changes occurred for 25% of the genes). A large proportion of genes involved in metabolism was up-regulated at 30°C in stationary phase. Conversely, genes up-regulated at 40°C relative to 30°C include those encoding virulence factors such as hemolysins and extracellular secreted proteins with LPXTG motifs. Over-expression of hemolysins was linked to larger zones of hemolysis and enhanced hemolytic activity at 40°C. A key theme identified by our study was that genes involved in purine metabolism and iron acquisition were significantly up-regulated at 40°C.

Conclusion/Significance

Growth of GBS in vitro at different temperatures resulted in extensive remodeling of the transcriptome, including genes encoding proven and putative virulence genes. The data provide extensive new leads for molecular pathogenesis research.

Impaired plasma clottability induction through fibrinogen degradation by ASP, a serine protease released from Aeromonas sobria

Aeromonas sobria infection often advances to sepsis, in which interaction of bacterial components with plasma proteins possibly causes various disorders. This bacterium releases a serine protease (ASP), a putative virulence factor, and binds to fibrinogen. To study the ASP effect on fibrinogen, we incubated fibrinogen or plasma with ASP and investigated their clotting elicited by thrombin, which converts fibrinogen to a fibrin clot. Enzymatically active ASP retarded plasma clotting in a dose-dependent manner starting at an ASP concentration of 10 nM. ASP also retarded fibrinogen clotting at 3 nM and above, which appeared to correspond to ASP cleavage of fibrinogen at the A alpha-chain. Consistent with containing serine protease activity for an ASP-specific substrate, the culture supernatant of an ASP gene-introduced strain retarded plasma and fibrinogen clotting more than that of the wild-type strain. The culture supernatant of an ASP gene-disrupted strain that releases negligible serine protease activity for the ASP-specific substrate did not affect plasma clotting. These results indicate that ASP is the main fibrinogenolytic protease released from A. sobria. Impaired plasma clottability induction through fibrinogen degradation is a new virulence activity of ASP and may contribute to hemorrhagic tendencies in sepsis caused by infection with this bacterium.

The surface protein Srr-1 of Streptococcus agalactiae binds human keratin 4 and promotes adherence to epithelial HEp-2 cells

Streptococcus agalactiae is frequently the cause of bacterial sepsis and meningitis in neonates. In addition, it is a commensal bacterium that colonizes the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. During its commensal and pathogenic lifestyles, S. agalactiae colonizes and invades a number of host compartments, thereby interacting with different host proteins. In the present study, the serine-rich repeat protein Srr-1 from S. agalactiae was functionally investigated. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that Srr-1 was localized on the surface of streptococcal cells. The Srr-1 protein was shown to interact with a 62-kDa protein in human saliva, which was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight analysis as human keratin 4 (K4). Immunoblot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay experiments allowed us to narrow down the K4 binding domain in Srr-1 to a region of 157 amino acids (aa). Furthermore, the Srr-1 binding domain of K4 was identified in the C-terminal 255 aa of human K4. Deletion of the srr-1 gene in the genome of S. agalactiae revealed that this gene plays a role in bacterial binding to human K4 and that it is involved in adherence to epithelial HEp-2 cells. Binding to immobilized K4 and adherence to HEp-2 cells were restored by introducing the srr-1 gene on a shuttle plasmid into the srr-1 mutant. Furthermore, incubation of HEp-2 cells with the K4 binding domain of Srr-1 blocked S. agalactiae adherence to epithelial cells in a dose-dependent fashion. This is the first report describing the interaction of a bacterial protein with human K4.

The chymotrypsin-like protease complex of Treponema denticola ATCC 35405 mediates fibrinogen adherence and degradation

Treponema denticola is an anaerobic spirochete strongly associated with human periodontal disease. T. denticola bacteria interact with a range of host tissue proteins, including fibronectin, laminin, and fibrinogen. The latter localizes in the extracellular matrix where tissue damage has occurred, and interactions with fibrinogen may play a key role in T. denticola colonization of the damaged sites. T. denticola ATCC 35405 showed saturable binding of fluid-phase fibrinogen to the cell surface and saturable adherence to immobilized fibrinogen. Levels of fibrinogen binding were enhanced in the presence of the serine protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The Aalpha and Bbeta chains of fibrinogen, but not the gamma chains, were specifically recognized by T. denticola. Following fibrinogen affinity chromatography analysis of cell surface extracts, a major fibrinogen-binding component (polypeptide molecular mass, approximately 100 kDa), which also degraded fibrinogen, was purified. Upon heating at 100 degrees C, the polypeptide was dissociated into three components (apparent molecular masses, 80, 48, and 45 kDa) that did not individually bind or degrade fibrinogen. The native 100-kDa polypeptide complex was identified as chymotrypsin-like protease (CTLP), or dentilisin. In an isogenic CTLP(-) mutant strain, CKE, chymotrypsin-like activity was reduced >90% compared to that in the wild type and fibrinogen binding and hydrolysis were ablated. Isogenic mutant strain MHE, deficient in the production of Msp (major surface protein), showed levels of CTLP reduced 40% relative to those in the wild type and exhibited correspondingly reduced levels of fibrinogen binding and proteolysis. Thrombin clotting times in the presence of wild-type T. denticola cells, but not strain CKE (CTLP(-)) cells, were extended. These results suggest that interactions of T. denticola with fibrinogen, which may promote colonization and modulate hemostasis, are mediated principally by CTLP.

Regulation of cytotoxin expression by converging eukaryotic-type and two-component signalling mechanisms in Streptococcus agalactiae

Signal transducing mechanisms are essential for regulation of gene expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes is accomplished by serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases and cognate phosphatases. In contrast, gene expression in prokaryotes is controlled by two-component systems that comprise a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate DNA binding response regulator. Pathogenic bacteria utilize two-component systems to regulate expression of their virulence factors and for adaptive responses to the external environment. We have previously shown that the human pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococci, GBS) encodes a single eukaryotic-type serine/threonine kinase Stk1, which is important for virulence of the organism. In this study, we aimed to understand how Stk1 contributes to virulence of GBS. Our results indicate that Stk1 expression is important for resistance of GBS to human blood, neutrophils and oxidative stress. Consistent with these observations, Stk1 positively regulates transcription of a cytotoxin, beta-haemolysin/cytolysin (beta-H/C) that is critical for survival of GBS in the bloodstream and for resistance to oxidative stress. Interestingly, positive regulation of beta-H/C by Stk1 requires the two-component regulator CovR. Further, we show that Stk1 can negatively regulate transcription of CAMP factor in a CovR-dependent manner. As Stk1 phosphorylates CovR in vitro, these data suggest that serine/threonine phosphorylation impacts CovR-mediated regulation of GBS gene expression. In summary, our studies provide novel information that a eukaryotic-type serine/threonine kinase regulates two-component-mediated expression of GBS cytotoxins.

Characterization, distribution, and expression of novel genes among eight clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Eight low-passage-number Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates, each of a different serotype and a different multilocus sequence type, were obtained from pediatric participants in a pneumococcal vaccine trial. Comparative genomic analyses were performed with these strains and two S. pneumoniae reference strains. Individual genomic libraries were constructed for each of the eight clinical isolates, with an average insert size of approximately 1 kb. A total of 73,728 clones were picked for arraying, providing more than four times genomic coverage per strain. A subset of 4,793 clones were sequenced, for which homology searches revealed that 750 (15.6%) of the sequences were unique with respect to the TIGR4 reference genome and 263 (5.5%) clones were unrelated to any available streptococcal sequence. Hypothetical translations of the open reading frames identified within these novel sequences showed homologies to a variety of proteins, including bacterial virulence factors not previously identified in S. pneumoniae. The distribution and expression patterns of 58 of these novel sequences among the eight clinical isolates were analyzed by PCR- and reverse transcriptase PCR-based analyses, respectively. These unique sequences were nonuniformly distributed among the eight isolates, and transcription of these genes in planktonic cultures was detected in 81% (172/212) of their genic occurrences. All 58 novel sequences were transcribed in one or more of the clinical strains, suggesting that they all correspond to functional genes. Sixty-five percent (38/58) of these sequences were found in 50% or less of the clinical strains, indicating a significant degree of genomic plasticity among natural isolates.

The SrtA Sortase of Streptococcus agalactiae is required for cell wall anchoring of proteins containing the LPXTG motif, for adhesion to epithelial cells, and for colonization of the mouse intestine

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus [GBS]) is the leading cause of neonatal pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. An in silico genome analysis indicated that GBS strain NEM316 encodes 35 proteins containing an LPXTG motif which are thought to be covalently linked to the peptidoglycan by an enzyme called sortase. The role of these cell wall-anchored proteins in GBS pathogenesis was evaluated on a global level by inactivating the srtA gene. This gene encodes the major sortase SrtA that anchors most of the LPXTG-containing proteins. We chose the C5a peptidase (ScpB) and Alp2, an abundant immunogenic protein, as prototypical LPXTG-containing proteins. As expected, the SrtA knockout mutant was unable to anchor the C5a peptidase (ScpB) and Alp2 to the cell wall. Complementation with plasmid-borne srtA inserted into the chromosome restored the correct surface localization of both ScpB and Alp2. Interestingly, the SrtA mutant was impaired for binding to the major extracellular matrix components fibronectin and fibrinogen and displayed a significant reduction in adherence to human (A549, HeLa, and Caco-2) and murine (L2) epithelial cells compared to the parental wild-type strain. Surprisingly, the inactivation of srtA had no effect on the virulence of the type III strain of GBS in a neonatal rat model (measured by the 50% lethal dose and lung colonization) but strongly impaired the capacity of the strain to colonize the intestines of gnotobiotic mice in a competition assay. These results demonstrate that LPXTG-containing proteins are involved in cell adhesion and GBS persistence in vivo.

Surface proteins of Streptococcus agalactiae and related proteins in other bacterial pathogens

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus) is the major cause of invasive bacterial disease, including meningitis, in the neonatal period. Although prophylactic measures have contributed to a substantial reduction in the number of infections, development of a vaccine remains an important goal. While much work in this field has focused on the S. agalactiae polysaccharide capsule, which is an important virulence factor that elicits protective immunity, surface proteins have received increasing attention as potential virulence factors and vaccine components. Here, we summarize current knowledge about S. agalactiae surface proteins, with emphasis on proteins that have been characterized immunochemically and/or elicit protective immunity in animal models. These surface proteins have been implicated in interactions with human epithelial cells, binding to extracellular matrix components, and/or evasion of host immunity. Of note, several S. agalactiae surface proteins are related to surface proteins identified in other bacterial pathogens, emphasizing the general interest of the S. agalactiae proteins. Because some S. agalactiae surface proteins elicit protective immunity, they hold promise as components in a vaccine based only on proteins or as carriers in polysaccharide conjugate vaccines.

The novel fibrinogen-binding protein FbsB promotes Streptococcus agalactiae invasion into epithelial cells

Streptococcus agalactiae is a major cause of bacterial sepsis and meningitis in human newborns. The interaction of S. agalactiae with host proteins and the entry into host cells thereby represent important virulence traits of these bacteria. The present report describes the identification of the fbsB gene, encoding a novel fibrinogen-binding protein that plays a crucial role in the invasion of S. agalactiae into human cells. In Western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) experiments, the FbsB protein was demonstrated to interact with soluble and immobilized fibrinogen. Binding studies showed the N-terminal 388 residues of FbsB and the Aalpha-subunit of human fibrinogen to recognize each other. By reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, the fbsB gene was shown to be cotranscribed with the gbs0851 gene in S. agalactiae. Deletion of the fbsB gene in the genome of S. agalactiae did not influence the binding of the bacteria to fibrinogen, suggesting that FbsB does not participate in the attachment of S. agalactiae to fibrinogen. In tissue culture experiments, however, the fbsB deletion mutant was severely impaired in its invasion into lung epithelial cells. Bacterial invasion could be reestablished by introducing the fbsB gene on a shuttle plasmid into the fbsB deletion mutant. Furthermore, treatment of lung epithelial cells with FbsB fusion protein blocked S. agalactiae invasion of epithelial cells in a dose-dependent fashion. These results suggest an important role of the FbsB protein in the overall process of host cell entry by S. agalactiae.

Comparison of DNA dot blot hybridization and lancefield capillary precipitin methods for group B streptococcal capsular typing

Group B streptococci (GBS) (Streptococcus agalactiae) are a major cause of sepsis and meningitis in neonates and infants and of invasive disease in pregnant women, nonpregnant, presumably immunocompromised adults, and the elderly. Nine GBS serotypes based on capsular polysaccharide antigens have been described. The serotype distributions among invasive and colonizing isolates differ between pediatric and adult populations and have changed over time. Thus, periodic monitoring of GBS serotype distributions is necessary to ensure the proper formulation and application of an appropriate GBS vaccine for human use and to detect the emergence of novel serotypes. Since the mid-1990s, the proportion of GBS isolates that are nontypeable by standard serologic methods has increased, creating a need for more sensitive typing methods. We describe a typing method that uses DNA dot blot hybridization with probes generated by PCR from the GBS capsular genes for serotypes Ia, Ib, and II to VIII. PCR primers were designed to amplify type-specific GBS capsular gene sequences. Gene probes were constructed from the PCR products and used to classify isolates based on hybridization profiles. A total of 306 previously serotyped invasive and colonizing isolates were used to compare our dot blot capsular typing (DBCT) identification method with Lancefield serotyping (LS). A dot blot capsular type was assigned to 99% (303 of 306) of the isolates, whereas 273 of 306 isolates (89%) were assigned a Lancefield serotype. The overall agreement between the methods was 95% (256 of 270 isolates typeable by both methods). We conclude that the DBCT method is a specific and useful alternative to the commonly used LS method.