Unravelling the multiple functions of the architecturally intricate Streptococcus pneumoniae β-galactosidase, BgaA.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial cell-surface proteins play integral roles in host-pathogen interactions. These proteins are often architecturally and functionally sophisticated and yet few studies of such proteins involved in host-pathogen interactions have defined the domains or modules required for specific functions. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), an opportunistic pathogen that is a leading cause of community acquired pneumonia, otitis media and bacteremia, is decorated with many complex surface proteins. These include β-galactosidase BgaA, which is specific for terminal galactose residues β-1-4 linked to glucose or N-acetylglucosamine and known to play a role in pneumococcal growth, resistance to opsonophagocytic killing, and adherence. This study defines the domains and modules of BgaA that are r

SUBMITTER: Singh AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4161441 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature