Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) prevents killing of Streptococcus pneumoniae by indolicidin.

ABSTRACT: Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is an important virulence factor in Streptococcus pneumoniae that binds to lactoferrin and protects the bacterium from the bactericidal action of lactoferricins-cationic peptides released upon lactoferrin proteolysis. The present study investigated if PspA can prevent killing by another cationic peptide, indolicidin. PspA-negative pneumococci were more sensitive to indolicidin-induced killing than bacteria expressing PspA, suggesting that PspA prevents the bactericidal action of indolicidin. Similarly, chemical removal of choline-binding proteins increased sensitivity to indolicidin. The absence of capsule and PspA had an additive effect on pneumococcal killing by the AMP. Furthermore, anti-PspA antibodies enhanced the bactericidal effect of indolicidi

SUBMITTER: Waz NT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11464550 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature