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  • 1
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: The acquisition of transition metal ions by pathogenic bacteria is crucial to their growth and survival within the human host, however, the mechanisms of metal ion homeostasis in streptococci are unknown. The scaCBA operon in the human oral bacterium Streptococcus gordonii encodes the components of an ABC-type transporter for manganese (Mn2+). Production of substrate-binding lipoprotein ScaA was increased approximately fivefold in cells cultured in low Mn2+ medium (〈 0.1 µM Mn2+), but not in iron (Fe2+/Fe3+)-limited medium, and was enhanced in the presence of human saliva or serum. mRNA analysis revealed that under low Mn2+ conditions, levels of scaCBA transcript (2.6 kb) were increased 〉 20-fold. The Mn2+-responsive transcriptional regulator of the sca operon was purified and characterized as a 215-amino-acid residue polypeptide, designated ScaR, with 26% identity to the Corynebacterium diphtheriae diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR). Inactivation of scaR in S. gordonii DL1 (Challis) resulted in constitutive derepression of sca operon transcription. Expression of tpx, located immediately downstream of scaA and encoding a putative thiol peroxidase, was not subject to ScaR regulation. Purified ScaR protein bound to the scaC promoter region in vitro in the presence of Mn2+ (Kd∼ 80 nM) and, to a lesser extent, in the presence of Ni2+ or Zn2+. The metalloregulator protein binding region was localized by DNA protection analysis to a 46 bp sequence encompassing the −35 and −10 promoter signatures. This sequence was well conserved within the promoters of corresponding virulence-related permease operons in other streptococci. The results identify a new Mn2+-sensing regulator of Mn2+ transport in streptococci, important for Mn2+ homeostasis during infection of the human host.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 2
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: The antigen I/II (AgI/II) family polypeptides, ranging from 1310 to 1653 amino acid (aa) residues, are cell wall anchored adhesins expressed by most indigenous species of oral streptococci. The polypeptides interact with a wide range of host molecules, in particular salivary agglutinin glycoprotein (SAG or gp340), and with ligands on other oral bacteria. To determine the receptor recognition properties of six different AgI/II family polypeptides from strains of Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus intermedius and Streptococcus mutans, the genes were cloned and expressed on the surface of the surrogate host Lactococcus lactis. The S. gordonii SspA and SspB polypeptides mediated higher binding levels of L. lactis cells to surface immobilized gp340 than did S. intermedius Pas protein, or S. mutans SpaP or PAc proteins. However, the AgI/II proteins were all similar in their abilities to mediate aggregation of lactococci by fluid phase gp340. The SpaPI polypeptide from S. mutans Ingbritt, which was C-terminally truncated by approximately 400 aa residues, did not bind gp340. Lactococci expressing AgI/II proteins, including SpaPI, were aggregated by a synthetic 16 aa residue peptide SRCRP2 derived from the aa repeat block sequences within gp340. In coaggregation assays, SspB from S. gordonii was unique in mediating coaggregation with only group A and group E strains of Actinomyces naeslundii. All the other AgI/II polypeptides mediated coaggregation with group C and group D strains of A. naeslundii. Analysis of chimeric protein constructs revealed that coaggregation specificity was determined by sequences within the N-terminal half of AgI/II protein. A synthetic peptide (20 aa residues), which defines a putative adhesion epitope within the C-terminal region of polypeptide, inhibited AgI/II-mediated aggregation by gp340 but did not affect coaggregation with A. naeslundii. These results suggest that different mechanisms operate in interactions of AgI/II family polypeptides with native gp340, gp340 SRCR domain peptide, and A. naeslundii. Specificity of these interactions appears to be determined by discontinuous but interacting regions of the polypeptides, thus providing flexibility in receptor recognition for streptococcal colonization of the human host.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 3
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Microbial interactions with host molecules, and programmed responses to host environmental stimuli, are critical for colonization and initiation of pathogenesis. Bacteria of the genus Streptococcus are primary colonizers of the human mouth. They express multiple cell-surface adhesins that bind salivary components and other oral bacteria and enable the development of polymicrobial biofilms associated with tooth decay and periodontal disease. However, the mechanisms by which streptococci invade dentine to infect the tooth pulp and periapical tissues are poorly understood. Here we show that production of the antigen I/II (AgI/II) family polypeptide adhesin and invasin SspA in Streptococcus gordonii is specifically upregulated in response to a collagen type I signal, minimally the tri-peptide Gly-Pro-Xaa (where Xaa is hydroxyproline or alanine). Increased AgI/II polypeptide expression promotes bacterial adhesion and extended growth of streptococcal cell chains along collagen type I fibrils that are characteristically found within dentinal tubules. These observations define a new model of host matrix signal-induced tissue penetration by bacteria and open the way for novel therapy opportunities for oral invasive diseases.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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