Streptococcus iniae M-like protein contributes to virulence in fish and is a target for live attenuated vaccine development.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Streptococcus iniae is a significant pathogen in finfish aquaculture, though knowledge of virulence determinants is lacking. Through pyrosequencing of the S. iniae genome we have identified two gene homologues to classical surface-anchored streptococcal virulence factors: M-like protein (simA) and C5a peptidase (scpI).

Methodology/principal findings

S. iniae possesses a Mga-like locus containing simA and a divergently transcribed putative mga-like regulatory gene, mgx. In contrast to the Mga locus of group A Streptococcus (GAS, S. pyogenes), scpI is located distally in the chromosome. Comparative sequence analysis of the Mgx locus revealed only one significant variant, a strain with an insertion frameshift mutation in simA and a deletion mutation in a region downs

SUBMITTER: Locke JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2483786 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature