scholarly journals CovRS-Regulated Transcriptome Analysis of a Hypervirulent M23 Strain of Group A Streptococcus pyogenes Provides New Insights into Virulence Determinants

2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (19) ◽  
pp. 3191-3205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Juan Bao ◽  
Zhong Liang ◽  
Jeffrey A. Mayfield ◽  
Shaun W. Lee ◽  
Victoria A. Ploplis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metabolic Genes ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Group A ◽  
Regulated Gene Expression

ABSTRACTThe two-componentcontrolofvirulence (Cov) regulator (R)-sensor (S) (CovRS) regulates the virulence ofStreptococcus pyogenes(group AStreptococcus[GAS]). Inactivation of CovS during infection switches the pathogenicity of GAS to a more invasive form by regulating transcription of diverse virulence genes via CovR. However, the manner in which CovRS controls virulence through expression of extended gene families has not been fully determined. In the current study, the CovS-regulated gene expression profiles of a hypervirulentemm23GAS strain (M23ND/CovS negative [M23ND/CovS−]) and a noninvasive isogenic strain (M23ND/CovS+), under different growth conditions, were investigated. RNA sequencing identified altered expression of ∼349 genes (18% of the chromosome). The data demonstrated that M23ND/CovS−achieved hypervirulence by allowing enhanced expression of genes responsible for antiphagocytosis (e.g.,hasABC), by abrogating expression of toxin genes (e.g.,speB), and by compromising gene products with dispensable functions (e.g.,sfb1). Among these genes, several (e.g.,parEandparC) were not previously reported to be regulated by CovRS. Furthermore, the study revealed that CovS also modulated the expression of a broad spectrum of metabolic genes that maximized nutrient utilization and energy metabolism during growth and dissemination, where the bacteria encounter large variations in available nutrients, thus restructuring metabolism of GAS for adaption to diverse growth environments. From constructing a genome-scale metabolic model, we identified 16 nonredundant metabolic gene modules that constitute unique nutrient sources. These genes were proposed to be essential for pathogen growth and are likely associated with GAS virulence. The genome-wide prediction of genes associated with virulence identifies new candidate genes that potentially contribute to GAS virulence.IMPORTANCEThe CovRS system modulates transcription of ∼18% of the genes in theStreptococcus pyogenesgenome. Mutations that inactivate CovR or CovS enhance the virulence of this bacterium. We determined complete transcriptomes of a naturally CovS-inactivated invasive deep tissue isolate of anemm23strain ofS. pyogenes(M23ND) and its complemented avirulent variant (CovS+). We identified diverse virulence genes whose altered expression revealed a genetic switching of a nonvirulent form of M23ND to a highly virulent strain. Furthermore, we also systematically uncovered for the first time the comparative levels of expression of a broad spectrum of metabolic genes, which reflected different metabolic needs of the bacterium as it invaded deeper tissue of the human host.

scholarly journals Analysis of virulence factors and emm typing of Streptococcus pyogenes clinical isolates.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Enck Sambrano ◽  
Gustavo P Riboldi ◽  
Keli C Reiter ◽  
Thiago Galvão da Silva Paim ◽  
Neidmar Correa Tolfo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Tissue Tropism ◽  
Factors Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Group A ◽  
Micro Organisms

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes, a Group A streptococci (GAS), is an important human pathogen that causes a wide range of infections. Methods: Twenty five clinical isolates of S. pyogenes were submitted to an emm typing and to a Real-time PCR analysis for 23 important virulence factors. Results: Fourteen emm types were found and the emm1 type was the most prevalent. The majority of the isolates were classified as emm pattern E, followed by A-C3. No pattern D was found. Among the virulence factors, the most prevalent were SpeG, Slo, C5a-peptidase and SPNA. Phage encoded virulence genes were also found among the strains, such as mf-2, SpeJ and SpeL. Discussion: The emm1 type was the most prevalent while the 13 others M types were distributed along the strains. No tissue tropism was found on the isolates. The virulence factors analysis demonstrated that chromosomally and phage-encoded genes were found, which confers a potential for high virulent micro-organisms.

scholarly journals Analysis of virulence factors and emm typing of Streptococcus pyogenes clinical isolates.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Enck Sambrano ◽  
Gustavo P Riboldi ◽  
Keli C Reiter ◽  
Thiago Galvão da Silva Paim ◽  
Neidmar Correa Tolfo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Tissue Tropism ◽  
Factors Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Group A ◽  
Micro Organisms

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes, a Group A streptococci (GAS), is an important human pathogen that causes a wide range of infections. Methods: Twenty five clinical isolates of S. pyogenes were submitted to an emm typing and to a Real-time PCR analysis for 23 important virulence factors. Results: Fourteen emm types were found and the emm1 type was the most prevalent. The majority of the isolates were classified as emm pattern E, followed by A-C3. No pattern D was found. Among the virulence factors, the most prevalent were SpeG, Slo, C5a-peptidase and SPNA. Phage encoded virulence genes were also found among the strains, such as mf-2, SpeJ and SpeL. Discussion: The emm1 type was the most prevalent while the 13 others M types were distributed along the strains. No tissue tropism was found on the isolates. The virulence factors analysis demonstrated that chromosomally and phage-encoded genes were found, which confers a potential for high virulent micro-organisms.

scholarly journals Interspecies Communication among Commensal and Pathogenic Streptococci

mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C. Cook ◽  
Breah LaSarre ◽  
Michael J. Federle
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Streptococcus Dysgalactiae ◽  
Interspecies Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Streptococcal Species ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Regulated Gene Expression

ABSTRACTQuorum sensing (QS) regulates diverse and coordinated behaviors in bacteria, including the production of virulence factors, biofilm formation, sporulation, and competence development. It is now established that some streptococci utilize Rgg-type proteins in concert with short hydrophobic peptides (SHPs) to mediate QS, and sequence analysis reveals that several streptococcal species contain highly homologous Rgg/SHP pairs. In group A streptococcus (GAS), two SHPs (SHP2 and SHP3 [SHP2/3]) were previously identified to be important in GAS biofilm formation. SHP2/3 are detected by two antagonistic regulators, Rgg2 and Rgg3, which control expression of theshpgenes. In group B streptococcus (GBS), RovS is a known virulence gene regulator and ortholog of Rgg2, whereas no apparent Rgg3 homolog exists. Adjacent torovSis a gene (shp1520) encoding a peptide nearly identical to SHP2. Using isogenic mutant strains and transcriptional reporters, we confirmed that RovS/SHP1520 comprise a QS circuit in GBS. More important, we performed experiments demonstrating that production and secretion of SHP1520 by GBS can modulate Rgg2/3-regulated gene expression in GAS intrans; likewise, SHP2/3 production by GAS can stimulate RovS-mediated gene regulation in GBS. An isolate ofStreptococcus dysgalactiaesubsp.equisimilisalso produced a secreted factor capable of simulating the QS circuits of both GAS and GBS, and sequencing confirms the presence of an orthologous Rgg2/SHP2 pair in this species as well. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of bidirectional signaling between streptococcal species in coculture and suggests a role for orthologous Rgg/SHP systems in interspecies communication between important human pathogens.IMPORTANCEPathogenic streptococci, such as group A (GAS) and group B (GBS) streptococcus, are able to persist in the human body without causing disease but become pathogenic under certain conditions that are not fully characterized. Environmental cues and interspecies signaling between members of the human flora likely play an important role in the transition to a disease state. Since quorum-sensing (QS) peptides have been consistently shown to regulate virulence factor production in pathogenic species, the ability of bacteria to signal via these peptides may prove to be an important link between the carrier and pathogenic states. Here we provide evidence of a bidirectional QS system between GAS, GBS, andStreptococcus dysgalactiaesubsp.equisimilis, demonstrating the possibility of evolved communication systems between human pathogens.

scholarly journals The Streptococcal Protease SpeB Antagonizes the Biofilms of the Human Pathogen Staphylococcus aureus USA300 through Cleavage of the Staphylococcal SdrC Protein

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn E. Carothers ◽  
Zhong Liang ◽  
Jeffrey Mayfield ◽  
Deborah L. Donahue ◽  
Mijoon Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Human Pathogen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Human Proteins ◽  
Group A ◽  
Biofilm Disruption

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus (GAS), is both a pathogen and an asymptomatic colonizer of human hosts and produces a large number of surface-expressed and secreted factors that contribute to a variety of infection outcomes. The GAS-secreted cysteine protease SpeB has been well studied for its effects on the human host; however, despite its broad proteolytic activity, studies on how this factor is utilized in polymicrobial environments are lacking. Here, we utilized various forms of SpeB protease to evaluate its antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against the clinically important human colonizer Staphylococcus aureus, which occupies niches similar to those of GAS. For our investigation, we used a skin-tropic GAS strain, AP53CovS+, and its isogenic ΔspeB mutant to compare the production and activity of native SpeB protease. We also generated active and inactive forms of recombinant purified SpeB for functional studies. We demonstrate that SpeB exhibits potent biofilm disruption activity at multiple stages of S. aureus biofilm formation. We hypothesized that the surface-expressed adhesin SdrC in S. aureus was cleaved by SpeB, which contributed to the observed biofilm disruption. Indeed, we found that SpeB cleaved recombinant SdrC in vitro and in the context of the full S. aureus biofilm. Our results suggest an understudied role for the broadly proteolytic SpeB as an important factor for GAS colonization and competition with other microorganisms in its niche. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) causes a range of diseases in humans, ranging from mild to severe, and produces many virulence factors in order to be a successful pathogen. One factor produced by many GAS strains is the protease SpeB, which has been studied for its ability to cleave and degrade human proteins, an important factor in GAS pathogenesis. An understudied aspect of SpeB is the manner in which its broad proteolytic activity affects other microorganisms that co-occupy niches similar to that of GAS. The significance of the research reported herein is the demonstration that SpeB can degrade the biofilms of the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, which has important implications for how SpeB may be utilized by GAS to successfully compete in a polymicrobial environment.

scholarly journals Formation of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm in the Presence of Sublethal Concentrations of Disinfectants Studied via a Transcriptomic Analysis Using Transcriptome Sequencing (RNA-seq)

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Slany ◽  
J. Oppelt ◽  
L. Cincarova
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Transcriptome Sequencing ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sublethal Concentrations

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a common biofilm-forming pathogen. Low doses of disinfectants have previously been reported to promote biofilm formation and to increase virulence. The aim of this study was to use transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis to investigate global transcriptional changes in S. aureus in response to sublethal concentrations of the commonly used food industry disinfectants ethanol (EtOH) and chloramine T (ChT) and their combination (EtOH_ChT) in order to better understand the effects of these agents on biofilm formation. Treatment with EtOH and EtOH_ChT resulted in more significantly altered expression profiles than treatment with ChT. Our results revealed that EtOH and EtOH_ChT treatments enhanced the expression of genes responsible for regulation of gene expression (sigB), cell surface factors (clfAB), adhesins (sdrDE), and capsular polysaccharides (cap8EFGL), resulting in more intact biofilm. In addition, in this study we were able to identify the pathways involved in the adaptation of S. aureus to the stress of ChT treatment. Further, EtOH suppressed the effect of ChT on gene expression when these agents were used together at sublethal concentrations. These data show that in the presence of sublethal concentrations of tested disinfectants, S. aureus cells trigger protective mechanisms and try to cope with them. IMPORTANCE So far, the effect of disinfectants is not satisfactorily explained. The presented data will allow a better understanding of the mode of disinfectant action with regard to biofilm formation and the ability of bacteria to survive the treatment. Such an understanding could contribute to the effort to eliminate possible sources of bacteria, making disinfectant application as efficient as possible. Biofilm formation plays significant role in the spread and pathogenesis of bacterial species.

scholarly journals Differences between Macrolide-Resistant and -Susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes: Importance of Clonal Properties in Addition to Antibiotic Consumption

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 5661-5666 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Silva-Costa ◽  
A. Friães ◽  
M. Ramirez ◽  
J. Melo-Cristino ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Macrolide Resistance ◽  
Typing Method ◽  
Susceptible Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resistant Population ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Group A ◽  
Two Populations

ABSTRACTA steady decline in macrolide resistance amongStreptococcus pyogenes(group A streptococci [GAS]) in Portugal was reported during 1999 to 2006. This was accompanied by alterations in the prevalence of macrolide resistance phenotypes and in the clonal composition of the population. In order to test whether changes in the macrolide-resistant population reflected the same changing patterns of the overall population, we characterized both macrolide-susceptible and -resistant GAS associated with a diagnosis of tonsillo-pharyngitis recovered in the period from 2000 to 2005 in Portugal. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiling was the best predictor ofemmtype and the only typing method that could discriminate clones associated with macrolide resistance and susceptibility within eachemmtype. Six PFGE clusters were significantly associated with macrolide susceptibility: T3-emm3-ST406, T4-emm4-ST39, T1-emm1-ST28, T6-emm6-ST382, B3264-emm89-ST101/ST408, and T2-emm2-ST55. Four PFGE clusters were associated with macrolide resistance: T4-emm4-ST39, T28-emm28-ST52, T12-emm22-ST46, and T1-emm1-ST28. We found no evidence for frequent ongoing horizontal transfer of macrolide resistance determinants. The diversity of the macrolide-resistant population was lower than that of susceptible isolates. The differences found between the two populations suggest that the macrolide-resistant population of GAS has its own dynamics, independent of the behavior of the susceptible population.

scholarly journals Comparative RNA-seq-Based Transcriptome Analysis of the Virulence Characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant and -Susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Strains Isolated from Small Animals

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 962-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natacha Couto ◽  
Adriana Belas ◽  
Manuela Oliveira ◽  
Paulo Almeida ◽  
Carla Clemente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Brain Heart Infusion ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus pseudintermediusis often associated with pyoderma, which can turn into a life-threatening disease. The dissemination of highly resistant isolates has occurred in the last 10 years and has challenged antimicrobial treatment of these infections considerably. We have compared the carriage of virulence genes and biofilm formation between methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptibleS. pseudintermedius(MRSP and MSSP, respectively) isolates and theirin vitrogene expression profiles by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). Isolates were relatively unevenly distributed among the fouragrgroups, andagrtype III predominated in MRSP. Five virulence genes were detected in all isolates. Only thespsOgene was significantly associated with MSSP isolates (P= 0.04). All isolates produced biofilm in brain heart infusion broth (BHIB)–4% NaCl. MSSP isolates produced more biofilm on BHIB and BHIB–1% glucose media than MRSP isolates (P= 0.03 andP= 0.02, respectively). Virulence genes encoding surface proteins and toxins (spsA,spsB,spsD,spsK,spsL,spsN,nucC,coa, andluk-I) and also prophage genes (encoding phage capsid protein, phage infection protein, two phage portal proteins, and a phage-like protein) were highly expressed in the MRSP isolate (compared with the MSSP isolate), suggesting they may play a role in the rapid and widespread dissemination of MRSP. This study indicates that MRSP may upregulate surface proteins, which may increase the adherence of MRSP isolates (especially sequence type 71 [ST71]) to corneocytes. MSSP isolates may have an increased ability to form biofilm under acidic circumstances, through upregulation of the entirearcoperon. Complete understanding ofS. pseudintermediuspathogenesis and host-pathogen signal interaction during infections is critical for the treatment and prevention ofS. pseudintermediusinfections.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Resistance to Chloramphenicol in Pseudomonas putida KT2440

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 1001-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilde Fernández ◽  
Susana Conde ◽  
Jesús de la Torre ◽  
Carlos Molina-Santiago ◽  
Juan-Luis Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Putida ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Cellular Stress Response ◽  
Knockout Mutant ◽  
Pseudomonas Putida Kt2440 ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
A Genome

ABSTRACTPseudomonas putidaKT2440 is a chloramphenicol-resistant bacterium that is able to grow in the presence of this antibiotic at a concentration of up to 25 μg/ml. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that the expression profile of 102 genes changed in response to this concentration of chloramphenicol in the culture medium. The genes that showed altered expression include those involved in general metabolism, cellular stress response, gene regulation, efflux pump transporters, and protein biosynthesis. Analysis of a genome-wide collection of mutants showed that survival of a knockout mutant in the TtgABC resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pump and mutants in the biosynthesis of pyrroloquinoline (PQQ) were compromised in the presence of chloramphenicol. The analysis also revealed that an ABC extrusion system (PP2669/PP2668/PP2667) and the AgmR regulator (PP2665) were needed for full resistance toward chloramphenicol. Transcriptional arrays revealed that AgmR controls the expression of thepqqgenes and the operon encoding the ABC extrusion pump from the promoter upstream of open reading frame (ORF) PP2669.

scholarly journals Streptococcus pyogenes Forms Serotype- and Local Environment-Dependent Interspecies Protein Complexes

mSystems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sounak Chowdhury ◽  
Hamed Khakzad ◽  
Gizem Ertürk Bergdahl ◽  
Rolf Lood ◽  
Simon Ekstrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Positive Bacterium ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group A ◽  
Human Specific

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]), is a human-specific Gram-positive bacterium. Each year, the bacterium affects 700 million people globally, leading to 160,000 deaths.

scholarly journals Acquisition of the Sda1-Encoding Bacteriophage Does Not Enhance Virulence of the Serotype M1 Streptococcus pyogenes Strain SF370

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 2062-2069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carola Venturini ◽  
Cheryl-lynn Y. Ong ◽  
Christine M. Gillen ◽  
Nouri L. Ben-Zakour ◽  
Peter G. Maamary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Mutant Form ◽  
Transfer Event ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lethal Infection ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Acting In Concert

ABSTRACTThe resurgence of invasive disease caused byStreptococcus pyogenes(group AStreptococcus[GAS]) in the past 30 years has paralleled the emergence and global dissemination of the highly virulent M1T1 clone. The GAS M1T1 clone has diverged from the ancestral M1 serotype by horizontal acquisition of two unique bacteriophages, encoding the potent DNase Sda1/SdaD2 and the superantigen SpeA, respectively. The phage-encoded DNase promotes escape from neutrophil extracellular traps and is linked to enhanced virulence of the M1T1 clone. In this study, we successfully usedin vitrolysogenic conversion to transfer the Sda1-encoding phage from the M1T1 clonal strain 5448 to the nonclonal M1 isolate SF370 and determined the impact of this horizontal gene transfer event on virulence. Although Sda1 was expressed in SF370 lysogens, no capacity of the phage-converted strain to survive human neutrophil killing, switch to a hyperinvasivecovRSmutant form, or cause invasive lethal infection in a humanized plasminogen mouse model was observed. This work suggests that the hypervirulence of the M1T1 clone is due to the unique synergic effect of the M1T1 clone bacteriophage-specific virulence factor Sda1 acting in concert with the M1T1 clone-specific genetic scaffold.

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