Lineage structure of Streptococcus pneumoniae may be driven by immune selection on the groEL heat-shock protein.

ABSTRACT: Populations of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) are typically structured into groups of closely related organisms or lineages, but it is not clear whether they are maintained by selection or neutral processes. Here, we attempt to address this question by applying a machine learning technique to SP whole genomes. Our results indicate that lineages evolved through immune selection on the groEL chaperone protein. The groEL protein is part of the groESL operon and enables a large range of proteins to fold correctly within the physical environment of the nasopharynx, thereby explaining why lineage structure is so stable within SP despite high levels of genetic transfer. SP is also antigenically diverse, exhibiting a variety of distinct capsular serotypes. Associations exist between lineage and cap

SUBMITTER: Lourenco J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5567354 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature