Distribution, genetic diversity, and variable expression of the gene encoding hyaluronate lyase within the Streptococcus suis population.

ABSTRACT: Although Streptococcus suis is an economically important pathogen of pigs and an occasional cause of zoonotic infections of humans knowledge of crucial virulence factors, and as a consequence targets for therapeutic or prophylactic intervention, remains limited. Here we describe a detailed study of the distribution, diversity, and in vitro expression of hyaluronate lyase, a protein implicated as a virulence factor of many mucosal pathogens. The gene encoding hyaluronate lyase, hyl, was present in all 309 bona fide S. suis isolates examined representing diverse serotypes, geographic sources, and clinical backgrounds. Examination of the genetic diversity of hyl by RFLP and sequence analysis indicated a pattern of diversity shared by many gram-positive surface proteins with a variable 5' regi

SUBMITTER: King SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC438560 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature