scholarly journals Complement-mediated Opsonization of Invasive Group A Streptococcus pyogenes Strain AP53 Is Regulated by the Bacterial Two-component Cluster of Virulence Responder/Sensor (CovRS) System

2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (38) ◽  
pp. 27494-27504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garima Agrahari ◽  
Zhong Liang ◽  
Jeffrey A. Mayfield ◽  
Rashna D. Balsara ◽  
Victoria A. Ploplis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Factor H ◽  
Human Neutrophils ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Group A ◽  
Allelic Alteration ◽  
High Level

Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) strain AP53 is a primary isolate from a patient with necrotizing fasciitis. These AP53 cells contain an inactivating mutation in the sensor component of the cluster of virulence (cov) responder (R)/sensor (S) two-component gene regulatory system (covRS), which enhances the virulence of the primary strain, AP53/covR+S−. However, specific mechanisms by which the covRS system regulates the survival of GAS in humans are incomplete. Here, we show a key role for covRS in the regulation of opsonophagocytosis of AP53 by human neutrophils. AP53/covR+S− cells displayed potent binding of host complement inhibitors of C3 convertase, viz. Factor H (FH) and C4-binding protein (C4BP), which concomitantly led to minimal C3b deposition on AP53 cells, further showing that these plasma protein inhibitors are active on GAS cells. This resulted in weak killing of the bacteria by human neutrophils and a corresponding high death rate of mice after injection of these cells. After targeted allelic alteration of covS− to wild-type covS (covS+), a dramatic loss of FH and C4BP binding to the AP53/covR+S+ cells was observed. This resulted in elevated C3b deposition on AP53/covR+S+ cells, a high level of opsonophagocytosis by human neutrophils, and a very low death rate of mice infected with AP53/covR+S+. We show that covRS is a critical transcriptional regulator of genes directing AP53 killing by neutrophils and regulates the levels of the receptors for FH and C4BP, which we identify as the products of the fba and enn genes, respectively.

scholarly journals A Two-Component Regulatory System Impacts Extracellular Membrane-Derived Vesicle Production in Group A Streptococcus

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Resch ◽  
James Anthony Tsatsaronis ◽  
Anaïs Le Rhun ◽  
Gerald Stübiger ◽  
Manfred Rohde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Composition ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACT Export of macromolecules via extracellular membrane-derived vesicles (MVs) plays an important role in the biology of Gram-negative bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria have also recently been reported to produce MVs; however, the composition and mechanisms governing vesiculogenesis in Gram-positive bacteria remain undefined. Here, we describe MV production in the Gram-positive human pathogen group A streptococcus (GAS), the etiological agent of necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. M1 serotype GAS isolates in culture exhibit MV structures both on the cell wall surface and in the near vicinity of bacterial cells. A comprehensive analysis of MV proteins identified both virulence-associated protein substrates of the general secretory pathway in addition to “anchorless surface proteins.” Characteristic differences in the contents, distributions, and fatty acid compositions of specific lipids between MVs and GAS cell membrane were also observed. Furthermore, deep RNA sequencing of vesicular RNAs revealed that GAS MVs contained differentially abundant RNA species relative to bacterial cellular RNA. MV production by GAS strains varied in a manner dependent on an intact two-component system, CovRS, with MV production negatively regulated by the system. Modulation of MV production through CovRS was found to be independent of both GAS cysteine protease SpeB and capsule biosynthesis. Our data provide an explanation for GAS secretion of macromolecules, including RNAs, lipids, and proteins, and illustrate a regulatory mechanism coordinating this secretory response. IMPORTANCE Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen responsible for more than 500,000 deaths annually. Establishment of GAS infection is dependent on a suite of proteins exported via the general secretory pathway. Here, we show that GAS naturally produces extracellular vesicles with a unique lipid composition that are laden with proteins and RNAs. Interestingly, both virulence-associated proteins and RNA species were found to be differentially abundant in vesicles relative to the bacteria. Furthermore, we show that genetic disruption of the virulence-associated two-component regulator CovRS leads to an increase in vesicle production. This study comprehensively describes the protein, RNA, and lipid composition of GAS-secreted MVs and alludes to a regulatory system impacting this process.

scholarly journals Regulation of Inhibition of Neutrophil Infiltration by the Two-Component Regulatory System CovRS in Subcutaneous Murine Infection with Group A Streptococcus

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 974-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinquan Li ◽  
Hui Zhu ◽  
Wenchao Feng ◽  
Mengyao Liu ◽  
Yingli Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Neutrophil Infiltration ◽  
Neutrophil Recruitment ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Group A ◽  
Innate Immune Evasion

ABSTRACTHypervirulent invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) isolates inhibit neutrophil infiltration more than pharyngitis isolates do, and the molecular basis of this difference is not well understood. This study was designed to first determine whether natural null mutation of the two-component regulatory system CovRS is responsible for the enhancement of the inhibition of neutrophil recruitment seen in hypervirulent GAS. Next, we examined the role of CovRS-regulated interleukin-8/CXC chemokine peptidase (SpyCEP), C5a peptidase (ScpA), and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (SsE) in the enhanced innate immune evasion. Invasive isolate MGAS5005 induces less neutrophil infiltration and produced a greater lesion area than pharyngitis isolate MGAS2221 in subcutaneous infections of mice. It is known that MGAS5005, but not MGAS2221, has a natural 1-bp deletion in thecovSgene. Replacement ofcovSΔ1bpin MGAS5005 with wild-typecovSresulted in the MGAS2221 phenotype. Deletion ofcovSfrom MGAS2221 resulted in the MGAS5005 phenotype. Tests of single, double, and triple deletion mutants of the MGAS5005sse,spyCEP, andscpAgenes found that SsE plays a more important role than SpyCEP and ScpA in the inhibition of neutrophil recruitment and that SsE, SpyCEP, and ScpA do not have synergistic effects on innate immune evasion by MGAS5005. Deletion ofsse, but notspyCEPorscpA, of MGAS2221 enhances neutrophil recruitment. Thus,covSnull mutations can cause substantial inhibition of neutrophil recruitment by enhancing the expression of the chemoattractant-degrading virulence factors, and SsE, but not SpyCEP or ScpA, is required for CovRS-regulated GAS inhibition of neutrophil infiltration.

scholarly journals Streptococcus pyogenes CovRS Mediates Growth in Iron Starvation and in the Presence of the Human Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37

2008 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 673-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Froehlich ◽  
Christopher Bates ◽  
June R. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Signal Transduction System ◽  
Iron Starvation ◽  
Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Group A ◽  
Two Component Signal Transduction

ABSTRACT We found that the global regulatory two-component signal transduction system CovRS mediates the ability of group A streptococcus (GAS) to grow under two stresses encountered during infection: iron starvation and the presence of LL-37. We also showed that CovRS regulates transcription of the multimetal transporter operon that is important for GAS growth in a low concentration of iron.

scholarly journals Metal-Mediated Modulation of Streptococcal Cysteine Protease Activity and Its Biological Implications

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 2992-3001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthickeyan Chella Krishnan ◽  
Santhosh Mukundan ◽  
Julio A. Landero Figueroa ◽  
Joseph A. Caruso ◽  
Malak Kotb
Keyword(s):  
Cysteine Protease ◽  
Metal Binding ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Bacterial Survival ◽  
Metal Binding Sites ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACTStreptococcal cysteine protease (SpeB), the major secreted protease produced by group A streptococcus (GAS), cleaves both host and bacterial proteins and contributes importantly to the pathogenesis of invasive GAS infections. Modulation of SpeB expression and/or its activity during invasive GAS infections has been shown to affect bacterial virulence and infection severity. Expression of SpeB is regulated by the GAS CovR-CovS two-component regulatory system, and we demonstrated that bacteria with mutations in the CovR-CovS two-component regulatory system are selected for during localized GAS infections and that these bacteria lack SpeB expression and exhibit a hypervirulent phenotype. Additionally, in a separate study, we showed that expression of SpeB can also be modulated by human transferrin- and/or lactoferrin-mediated iron chelation. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to investigate the possible roles of iron and other metals in modulating SpeB expression and/or activity in a manner that would potentiate bacterial virulence. Here, we report that the divalent metals zinc and copper inhibit SpeB activity at the posttranslational level. Utilizing online metal-binding site prediction servers, we identified two putative metal-binding sites in SpeB, one of which involves the catalytic-dyad residues47Cys and195His. Based on our findings, we propose that zinc and/or copper availability in the bacterial microenvironment can modulate the proteolytic activity of SpeB in a manner that preserves the integrity of several other virulence factors essential for bacterial survival and dissemination within the host and thereby may exacerbate the severity of invasive GAS infections.

scholarly journals The Histone-Like Protein Hlp Is Essential for Growth of Streptococcus pyogenes: Comparison of Genetic Approaches To Study Essential Genes

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (13) ◽  
pp. 4422-4428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia V. Bugrysheva ◽  
Barbara J. Froehlich ◽  
Jeffrey A. Freiberg ◽  
June R. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Essential Genes ◽  
Differential Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group A ◽  
Approaches To Study ◽  
Control Translation ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACTSelection of possible targets for vaccine and drug development requires an understanding of the physiology of bacterial pathogens, for which the ability to manipulate expression of essential genes is critical. ForStreptococcus pyogenes(the group A streptococcus [GAS]), an important human pathogen, the lack of genetic tools for such studies has seriously hampered research. To address this problem, we characterized variants of the inducible Ptetcassette, in both sense and antisense contexts, as tools to regulate transcription from GAS genes. We found that although the three-operator Ptetconstruct [Ptet(O)3] had low uninduced expression, its induction level was low, while the two-operator construct [Ptet(O)2] was inducible to a high level but showed significant constitutive expression. Use of Ptet(O)3in the chromosome allowed us to demonstrate previously that RNases J1 and J2 are required for growth of GAS. Here we report that the uninduced level from the chromosomally inserted Ptet(O)2construct was too high for us to observe differential growth. For the highly expressed histone-like protein (Hlp) of GAS, neither chromosomal insertion of Ptet(O)2or Ptet(O)3nor their use on a high-copy-number plasmid to produce antisense RNA specific tohlpresulted in adequate differential expression. However, by replacing the ribosome binding site ofhlpwith an engineered riboswitch to control translation of Hlp, we demonstrated for the first time that this protein is essential for GAS growth.

scholarly journals Polyclonal dissemination of tetracycline resistance among Streptococcus pyogenes paediatric isolates from Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. 704-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Robert Smeesters ◽  
Sabina Cadar ◽  
Pierre-Alexandre Drèze ◽  
Dioclécio Campos ◽  
Laurence Van Melderen
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Tetracycline Resistance ◽  
Prospective Epidemiological Study ◽  
Group A ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns ◽  
High Level ◽  
Susceptibility Patterns ◽  
Scarce Data

Introduction: Scarce data are available on Group A Streptococcus (GAS) antibiotic resistance in South America. Methodology: The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of GAS recovered from symptomatic children living in the central part of Brazil during a prospective epidemiological study were analyzed. Results: No isolates were resistant to penicillin or macrolides.  Sixty-one percent of the isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline, of which 85% harboured the tetM resistance gene. Ninety-five percent of these tetracycline resistant isolates were also resistant to minocycline. Thirty different emm-types were associated with tetracycline resistance. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that tetracycline resistance arose independently in distantly related emm-types. Conclusions: A high level of GAS tetracycline resistance has been observed in the central part of Brazil due to the polyclonal dissemination of resistant emm-types.

Etiology, clinical presentation, laboratory diagnostics, pathogenesis of impetigo and treatment methods

2020 ◽  
pp. 64-70
Author(s):  
Anastasiya Laknitskaya
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Antibiotic Sensitivity ◽  
Antioxidant Defense System ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Treatment Methods ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Individual

Currently, one of the priority medical and social problems is the optimization of treatment methods for pyoderma associated with Streptococcus pyogenes — group A streptococcus (GAS). To date, the proportion of pyoderma, the etiological factor of which is Streptococcus pyogenes, is about 6 % of all skin diseases and is in the range from 17.9 to 43.9 % of all dermatoses. Role of the bacterial factor in the development of streptococcal pyoderma is obvious. Traditional treatment complex includes antibacterial drugs selected individually, taking into account the antibiotic sensitivity of pathognomonic bacteria, and it is not always effective. Currently implemented immunocorrection methods often do not take into account specific immunological features of the disease, the individual, and the fact that the skin performs the function of not only a mechanical barrier, but it is also an immunocompetent organ. Such an approach makes it necessary to conduct additional studies clarifying the role of factors of innate and adaptive immunity, intercellular mediators and antioxidant defense system, that allow to optimize the treatment of this pathology.

scholarly journals Natural Disruption of Two Regulatory Networks in Serotype M3 Group A Streptococcus Isolates Contributes to the Virulence Factor Profile of This Hypervirulent Serotype

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 1744-1754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tram N. Cao ◽  
Zhuyun Liu ◽  
Tran H. Cao ◽  
Kathryn J. Pflughoeft ◽  
Jeanette Treviño ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Factor ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Regulatory Rna ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACTDespite the public health challenges associated with the emergence of new pathogenic bacterial strains and/or serotypes, there is a dearth of information regarding the molecular mechanisms that drive this variation. Here, we began to address the mechanisms behind serotype-specific variation between serotype M1 and M3 strains of the human pathogenStreptococcus pyogenes(the group AStreptococcus[GAS]). Spatially diverse contemporary clinical serotype M3 isolates were discovered to contain identical inactivating mutations within genes encoding two regulatory systems that control the expression of important virulence factors, including the thrombolytic agent streptokinase, the protease inhibitor-binding protein-G-related α2-macroglobulin-binding (GRAB) protein, and the antiphagocytic hyaluronic acid capsule. Subsequent analysis of a larger collection of isolates determined that M3 GAS, since at least the 1920s, has harbored a 4-bp deletion in thefasCgene of thefasBCAXregulatory system and an inactivating polymorphism in therivRregulator-encoding gene. ThefasCandrivRmutations in M3 isolates directly affect the virulence factor profile of M3 GAS, as evident by a reduction in streptokinase expression and an enhancement of GRAB expression. Complementation of thefasCmutation in M3 GAS significantly enhanced levels of the small regulatory RNA FasX, which in turn enhanced streptokinase expression. Complementation of therivRmutation in M3 GAS restored the regulation ofgrabmRNA abundance but did not alter capsule mRNA levels. While important, thefasCandrivRmutations do not provide a full explanation for why serotype M3 strains are associated with unusually severe invasive infections; thus, further investigation is warranted.

scholarly journals Association between Resistance to Erythromycin and the Presence of the Fibronectin Binding Protein F1 Gene, prtF1, in Streptococcus pyogenes Isolates from German Pediatric Patients

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 2990-2993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Haller ◽  
Kirsten Fluegge ◽  
Sandra Jasminder Arri ◽  
Brit Adams ◽  
Reinhard Berner
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Macrolide Resistance ◽  
Group A ◽  
Fibronectin Binding Protein ◽  
Fibronectin Binding ◽  
Cell Invasiveness

ABSTRACT A total of 301 German pediatric group A streptococcus isolates were screened for the presence of macrolide resistance and the fibronectin binding protein F1 gene (prtF1) encoding an adhesin and cell invasiveness protein. The prtF1 gene was present significantly more often among macrolide-resistant isolates. The majority of these were not clonally related.

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