Blood group antigen recognition by a solute-binding protein from a serotype 3 strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common bacterial pathogen that is well known for its ability to cause acute respiratory disease (pneumonia), ear infections, and other serious illnesses. This Gram-positive bacterium relies on its carbohydrate-metabolizing capabilities for full virulence in its host; however, the range of glycan targets that it can attack is presently not fully appreciated. S. pneumoniae is known to have a fucose utilization operon that in the TIGR4 strain plays a role in its virulence. Here we identify a second type of fucose utilization operon that is present in a subset of S. pneumoniae strains, including the serotype 3 strain SP3-BS71. This operon contains a transporter with a solute-binding protein, FcsSBP (fucose solute-binding protein), that interacts tightly (Ka approx

SUBMITTER: Higgins MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2911475 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature