scholarly journals Regulation of Polysaccharide Utilization Contributes to the Persistence of Group A Streptococcus in the Oropharynx

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2981-2990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel A. Shelburne ◽  
Nnaja Okorafor ◽  
Izabela Sitkiewicz ◽  
Paul Sumby ◽  
David Keith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Strain ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Human Saliva ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Rich Media ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Group A ◽  
Mutant Derivative

ABSTRACT Group A Streptococcus (GAS) genes that encode proteins putatively involved in polysaccharide utilization show growth phase-dependent expression in human saliva. We sought to determine whether the putative polysaccharide transcriptional regulator MalR influences the expression of such genes and whether MalR helps GAS infect the oropharynx. Analysis of 32 strains of 17 distinct M protein serotypes revealed that MalR is highly conserved across GAS strains. malR transcripts were detectable in patients with GAS pharyngitis, and the levels increased significantly during growth in human saliva compared to the levels during growth in glucose-containing or nutrient-rich media. To determine if MalR influenced the expression of polysaccharide utilization genes, we compared the transcript levels of eight genes encoding putative polysaccharide utilization proteins in the parental serotype M1 strain MGAS5005 and its ΔmalR isogenic mutant derivative. The transcript levels of all eight genes were significantly increased in the ΔmalR strain compared to the parental strain, especially during growth in human saliva. Following experimental infection, the ΔmalR strain persistently colonized the oropharynx in significantly fewer mice than the parental strain colonized, and the numbers of ΔmalR strain CFU recovered were significantly lower than the numbers of the parental strain CFU recovered. These data led us to conclude that MalR influences the expression of genes putatively involved in polysaccharide utilization and that MalR contributes to the persistence of GAS in the oropharynx.

scholarly journals Group A Streptococcus AdcR Regulon Participates in Bacterial Defense against Host-Mediated Zinc Sequestration and Contributes to Virulence

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nishanth Makthal ◽  
Hackwon Do ◽  
Brian M. Wendel ◽  
Randall J. Olsen ◽  
John D. Helmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Direct Competition ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Group A ◽  
Gas Interactions

ABSTRACT Colonization by pathogenic bacteria depends on their ability to overcome host nutritional defenses and acquire nutrients. The human pathogen group A streptococcus (GAS) encounters the host defense factor calprotectin (CP) during infection. CP inhibits GAS growth in vitro by imposing zinc (Zn) limitation. However, GAS counterstrategies to combat CP-mediated Zn limitation and the in vivo relevance of CP-GAS interactions to bacterial pathogenesis remain unknown. Here, we report that GAS upregulates the AdcR regulon in response to CP-mediated Zn limitation. The AdcR regulon includes genes encoding Zn import (adcABC), Zn sparing (rpsN.2), and Zn scavenging systems (adcAII, phtD, and phtY). Each gene in the AdcR regulon contributes to GAS Zn acquisition and CP resistance. The ΔadcC and ΔrpsN.2 mutant strains were the most susceptible to CP, whereas the ΔadcA, ΔadcAII, and ΔphtD mutant strains displayed less CP sensitivity during growth in vitro. However, the ΔphtY mutant strain did not display an increased CP sensitivity. The varied sensitivity of the mutant strains to CP-mediated Zn limitation suggests distinct roles for individual AdcR regulon genes in GAS Zn acquisition. GAS upregulates the AdcR regulon during necrotizing fasciitis infection in WT mice but not in S100a9−/− mice lacking CP. This suggests that CP induces Zn deficiency in the host. Finally, consistent with the in vitro results, several of the AdcR regulon genes are critical for GAS virulence in WT mice, whereas they are dispensable for virulence in S100a9−/− mice, indicating the direct competition for Zn between CP and proteins encoded by the GAS AdcR regulon during infection.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Identification of Genes Required for Fitness of Group A Streptococcus in Human Blood

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 862-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoann Le Breton ◽  
Pragnesh Mistry ◽  
Kayla M. Valdes ◽  
Jeffrey Quigley ◽  
Nikhil Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Blood ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Sugar Metabolism ◽  
Nucleotide Synthesis ◽  
Rich Media ◽  
Group A ◽  
Virulence Regulator

ABSTRACTThe group A streptococcus (GAS) is a strict human pathogen responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases. Although GAS genome sequences are available, functional genomic analyses have been limited. We developed amariner-based transposon,osKaR, designed to perform Transposon-Site Hybridization (TraSH) in GAS and successfully tested its use in several invasive serotypes. A complexosKaRmutant library in M1T1 GAS strain 5448 was subjected to negative selection in human blood to identify genes important for GAS fitness in this clinically relevant environment. Mutants underrepresented after growth in blood (output pool) compared to growth in rich media (input pool) were identified using DNA microarray hybridization of transposon-specific tagsen masse. Using blood from three different donors, we identified 81 genes that met our criteria for reduced fitness in blood from at least two individuals. Genes known to play a role in survival of GAS in blood were found, including those encoding the virulence regulator Mga (mga), the peroxide response regulator PerR (perR), and the RofA-like regulator Ralp-3 (ralp3). We also identified genes previously reported for their contribution to sepsis in other pathogens, such asde novonucleotide synthesis (purD,purA,pyrB,carA,carB,guaB), sugar metabolism (scrB,fruA), zinc uptake (adcC), and transcriptional regulation (cpsY). To validate our findings, independent mutants with mutations in 10 different genes identified in our screen were confirmed to be defective for survival in blood bactericidal assays. Overall, this work represents the first use of TraSH in GAS to identify potential virulence genes.

scholarly journals CovR Activation of the Dipeptide Permease Promoter (PdppA) in Group A Streptococcus

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (4) ◽  
pp. 1407-1416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asiya A. Gusa ◽  
Barbara J. Froehlich ◽  
Devak Desai ◽  
Virginia Stringer ◽  
June R. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Activation Of Transcription ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Group A ◽  
Transcription In Vitro ◽  
Dna Template ◽  
Regulated Promoters

ABSTRACT CovR, the two-component response regulator of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus [GAS]) directly or indirectly represses about 15% of the genome, including genes encoding many virulence factors and itself. Transcriptome analyses also showed that some genes are activated by CovR. We asked whether the regulation by CovR of one of these genes, dppA, the first gene in an operon encoding a dipeptide permease, is direct or indirect. Direct regulation by CovR was suggested by the presence of five CovR consensus binding sequences (CBs) near the putative promoter. In this study, we identified the 5′ end of the dppA transcript synthesized in vivo and showed that the start of dppA transcription in vitro is the same. We found that CovR binds specifically to the dppA promoter region (PdppA) in vitro with an affinity similar to that at which it binds to other CovR-regulated promoters. Disruption of any of the five CBs by a substitution of GG for TT inhibited CovR binding to that site in vitro, and binding at two of the CBs appeared cooperative. In vivo, CovR activation of transcription was not affected by individual mutations of any of the four CBs that we could study. This suggests that the binding sites are redundant in vivo. In vitro, CovR did not activate transcription from PdppA in experiments using purified GAS RNA polymerase and either linear or supercoiled DNA template. Therefore, we propose that in vivo, CovR may interfere with the binding of a repressor of PdppA.

scholarly journals Growth Characteristics of and Virulence Factor Production by Group A Streptococcus during Cultivation in Human Saliva

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 4723-4731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel A. Shelburne ◽  
Chanel Granville ◽  
Maria Tokuyama ◽  
Izabela Sitkiewicz ◽  
Payal Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Human Saliva ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Anatomic Site ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Group A ◽  
Epithelial Cell Surface

ABSTRACT Group A Streptococcus (GAS) commonly infects the human oropharynx, but the initial molecular events governing this process are poorly understood. Saliva is a major component of the innate and acquired immune defense in this anatomic site. Although landmark studies were done more than 60 years ago, investigation of GAS-saliva interaction has not been addressed extensively in recent years. Serotype M1 GAS strain MGAS5005 cultured in human saliva grew to ∼107 CFU/ml and, remarkably, maintained this density for up to 28 days. Strains of several other M-protein serotypes had similar initial growth patterns but did not maintain as high a CFU count during prolonged culture. As revealed by analysis of the growth of isogenic mutant strains, the ability of GAS to maintain high numbers of CFU/ml during the prolonged stationary phase in saliva was dependent on production of streptococcal inhibitor of complement (Sic) and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB). During cultivation in human saliva, GAS had growth-phase-dependent production of multiple proven and putative extracellular virulence factors, including Sic, SpeB, streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A, Mac protein, and streptococcal phospholipase A2. Our results clearly show that GAS responds in a complex fashion to growth in human saliva, suggesting that the molecular processes that enhance colonization and survival in the upper respiratory tract of humans are well under way before the organism reaches the epithelial cell surface.

scholarly journals Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase Stk Is Required for Virulence, Stress Response, and Penicillin Tolerance in Streptococcus pyogenes

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
pp. 4201-4209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Bugrysheva ◽  
Barbara J. Froehlich ◽  
Jeffrey A. Freiberg ◽  
June R. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Fatty Acid Biosynthesis ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Acid Biosynthesis ◽  
Regulation Of Expression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACTGenes encoding one or more Ser/Thr protein kinases have been identified recently in many bacteria, including one (stk) in the human pathogenStreptococcus pyogenes(group A streptococcus [GAS]). We report that in GAS,stkis required to produce disease in a murine myositis model of infection. Using microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) studies, we found that Stk activates genes for virulence factors, osmoregulation, metabolism of α-glucans, and fatty acid biosynthesis, as well as genes affecting cell wall synthesis. Confirming these transcription studies, we determined that thestkdeletion mutant is more sensitive to osmotic stress and to penicillin than the wild type. We discuss several possible Stk phosphorylation targets that might explain Stk regulation of expression of specific operons and the possible role of Stk in resuscitation from quiescence.

scholarly journals Global gene expression and secondary metabolite changes in Arabidopsis thaliana ABI4 over-expression lines

Botany ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 615-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianyun Yu ◽  
Margaret Y. Gruber ◽  
Shu Wei ◽  
Rong Zhou ◽  
Dwayne Hegedus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Secondary Metabolite ◽  
Plant Development ◽  
Global Gene Expression ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Over Expression ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Genes Encoding

Despite numerous studies on ABI4, its role in plant secondary metabolism has not been fully investigated. Here, we used metabolite profiling together with transcriptome analysis to demonstrate that ABI4 transcript levels regulate a host of secondary metabolite pathways and growth modalities in ABI4 over-expression (ABI4_OE) lines of Arabidopsis thaliana. This strategy provided a unique and comprehensive overview of the regulation of metabolic shifts in response to ABI4 transcription. We show that enhancement of ABI4 transcript levels changed seed proanthocyanidin (PA), flavonoid, and carotenoid levels in ABI4_OE seeds and 30-day-old shoots, as well as the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in the production of these and other secondary metabolites in ABI4_OE shoots. In seeds, PA accumulated in very large uneven patches, which was dramatically different from the even distribution of PA in wild-type seeds. Shoots of ABI4_OE lines also exhibited altered expression of a range of genes involved in several aspects of plant development, including hormone and cell-wall synthesis. Alteration of such disparate secondary metabolite pathways, along with hormone and developmental pathways, suggests that ABI4 is a master regulator integrating these compounds with plant development.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Bicistronic speB and prsA Gene Expression in the Group A Streptococcus

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (21) ◽  
pp. 7626-7634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongsheng Ma ◽  
Amy E. Bryant ◽  
Dan B. Salmi ◽  
Susan M. Hayes-Schroer ◽  
Eric McIndoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Genetic Regulation ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Prolyl Isomerase ◽  
Peptidyl Prolyl Isomerase ◽  
Invasive Group ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Group A ◽  
Streptococcal Pyrogenic Exotoxin B

ABSTRACT Severe, invasive group A streptococcal infections have reemerged worldwide, and extracellular toxins, including streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB), have been implicated in pathogenesis. The genetic regulation of SpeB is not fully understood, and the mechanisms involved in the processing of the protoxin to its enzymatically active form have not been definitively established. The present work demonstrated that the genes encoding SpeB (speB) and a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (prsA) constitute an operon with transcription initiated from two promoters upstream of speB. Further, the speB-prsA operon was transcribed as a bicistronic mRNA. This finding is in contrast to the generally accepted notion that speB is transcribed only as a monocistronic gene. In addition, prsA has its own promoter, and transcription from this promoter starts in early log phase, prior to the transcription of speB. Genomic disruption of prsA decreased the production of enzymatically active SpeB but not the level of the pro-SpeB zymogen. Taken together, these results demonstrate that prsA is required for production of fully mature, enzymatically active SpeB.

scholarly journals Virulence genes and resistance to antibiotics of beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated from children in Chiapas, Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 80-88
Author(s):  
Javier Gutiérrez-Jiménez ◽  
Mónica Ivonne Mendoza-Orozco ◽  
Alejandra Vicente-Serrano ◽  
Lorena Mercedes Luna-Cazáres ◽  
José Manuel Feliciano-Guzmán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Beta Lactams ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
First Line ◽  
Virulence Traits ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Group A ◽  
Southeast Mexico

Introduction: Among beta-hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus pyogenes causes a wide variety of human disease including pharyngitis, necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic syndrome. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) uses a variety of virulence traits to colonize and then cause damage to the host; others species of beta-hemolytic streptococci are considered as emerging pathogens for humans. Despite its recognized virulence, only few studies have investigated virulence factors of GAS strains isolated in Mexico. Methodology: We conducted an epidemiological study to investigate the prevalence of GAS strains in child illnesses in Chiapas Mexico. Virulence genes encoding proteases, DNases, superantigens, as well as susceptibility to antibiotics were investigated. Results: During 2010, 2013 and 2014, beta-hemolytic streptococci (N=12) were isolated from cases of bacterial infections including pharyngitis and bacteremia, with a prevalence of 0.42, 0.04 and 0.20%, respectively. S. pyogenes was the most frequent species (33%) followed by S. agalactiae and S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (25%, each). Most GAS strains encoded genes for proteases: scpA, speB, spyCEP and mac (75%), followed by sdaD and sdaB (DNases) (50%), speA and speG (superantigens; 50 and 25%, respectively). The scpA gene was amplified in all S. agalactiae strains and in ~35% of SDSE strains. Strains were all susceptible to beta-lactams, cephalosporins and quinolones. Conclusions: The present study provides evidence on the epidemiology of beta-hemolytic streptococci infecting children at the southeast Mexico, their virulence traits and sensitivity to first-line antibiotics.

scholarly journals Genome-wide analysis of in vivo CcpA binding with and without its key co-factor HPr in the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sruti DebRoy ◽  
Victor Aliaga Tobar ◽  
Gabriel Galvez ◽  
Srishtee Arora ◽  
Xiaowen Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Human Pathogen ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Catabolite Control Protein A ◽  
Group A

SummaryCatabolite control protein A (CcpA) is a master regulator of carbon source utilization and contributes to the virulence of numerous medically important Gram-positive bacteria. Most functional assessments of CcpA, including interaction with its key co-factor HPr, have been performed in non-pathogenic bacteria. In this study we aimed to identify the in vivo DNA binding profile of CcpA and assess the extent to which HPr is required for CcpA-mediated regulation and DNA binding in the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS). Using a combination RNAseq/ChIPseq approach, we found that CcpA affects transcript levels of 514 of 1667 GAS genes (31%) whereas direct DNA binding was identified for 105 GAS genes. Three of the directly regulated genes encode the key GAS virulence factors Streptolysin S, PrtS (IL-8 degrading proteinase), and SpeB (cysteine protease). Mutating CcpA Val301 to Ala (strain 2221-CcpA-V301A) abolished interaction between CcpA and HPr and impacted the transcript levels of 205 genes (40%) in the total CcpA regulon. By ChIPseq analysis, CcpAV301A bound to DNA from 74% of genes bound by wild-type CcpA, but generally with lower affinity. These data delineate the direct CcpA regulon and clarify the HPr-dependent and independent activities of CcpA in a key pathogenic bacterium.Data sharing and data availabilityThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

scholarly journals Gene fitness landscape of group A streptococcus during necrotizing myositis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luchang Zhu ◽  
Randall J. Olsen ◽  
Stephen B. Beres ◽  
Jesus M. Eraso ◽  
Matthew Ojeda Saavedra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fitness Landscape ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Necrotizing Myositis ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Isogenic Mutant Strain ◽  
Group A

ABSTRACTNecrotizing fasciitis and myositis are devastating infections characterized by high mortality. Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common cause of these infections, but the molecular pathogenesis is poorly understood. We report a genome-wide analysis using serotype M1 and M28 strains that identified novel GAS genes contributing to necrotizing myositis in nonhuman primates (NHP), a clinically relevant model. Using transposon directed insertion-site sequencing (TraDIS) we identified 126 and 116 GAS genes required for infection by serotype M1 and M28 organisms, respectively. For both M1 and M28 strains, more than 25% of the GAS genes required for necrotizing myositis encode known or putative transporters. Thirteen GAS transporters contributed to both M1 and M28 strain fitness in NHP myositis, including putative importers for amino acids, carbohydrates, and vitamins, and exporters for toxins, quorum sensing peptides, and uncharacterized molecules. Targeted deletion of genes encoding five transporters confirmed that each isogenic mutant strain was significantly impaired in causing necrotizing myositis in NHPs. qRT-PCR analysis showed that these five genes are expressed in infected NHP and human skeletal muscle. Certain substrate-binding lipoproteins of these transporters, such as Spy0271 and Spy1728, were previously documented to be surface-exposed, suggesting that our findings have translational research implications.

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