Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 9A isolates contain diverse mutations to wcjE that result in variable expression of serotype 9V-specific epitope.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant pathogen capable of expressing protective and antigenically diverse capsules. To better understand the molecular basis of capsular antigenic diversity, we investigated the hypothetical serological role of wcjE, which encodes a capsule O-acetyltransferase, in the vaccine-targeted serotype 9V and related serotype 9A.

Methods

We inactivated wcjE by recombination in a serotype 9V strain and determined wcjE sequences of 11 serotype 9A clinical isolates. We determined the antigenic phenotypes of these pneumococcal strains with serogroup 9-specific antibodies and flow cytometry.

Results

Inactivation of wcjE in a serotype 9V strain resulted in expression of the 9A phenotype. Each serotype 9A clinical isolate contained a dis

SUBMITTER: Calix JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3222105 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature