First Streptococcus pyogenes signature-tagged mutagenesis screen identifies novel virulence determinants.

ABSTRACT: The virulence of bacterial pathogens is a complex process that requires the dynamic expression of many genes for the pathogens to invade and circumvent host defenses, as well as to proliferate in vivo. In this study, we employed a large-scale screen, signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM), to identify Streptococcus pyogenes virulence genes important for pathogenesis within the host. Approximately 1,200 STM mutants were created and screened using the zebrafish infectious disease model. The transposon insertion site was identified for 29 of the 150 mutants that were considered attenuated for virulence. Previously reported streptococcal virulence genes, such as mga, hasA, amrA, smeZ, and two genes in the sil locus, were identified, confirming the utility of the model for revealing genes important

SUBMITTER: Kizy AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2681771 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature