Structural determinants of host specificity of complement Factor H recruitment by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

ABSTRACT: Many human pathogens have strict host specificity, which affects not only their epidemiology but also the development of animal models and vaccines. Complement Factor H (FH) is recruited to pneumococcal cell surface in a human-specific manner via the N-terminal domain of the pneumococcal protein virulence factor choline-binding protein A (CbpAN). FH recruitment enables Streptococcus pneumoniae to evade surveillance by human complement system and contributes to pneumococcal host specificity. The molecular determinants of host specificity of complement evasion are unknown. In the present study, we show that a single human FH (hFH) domain is sufficient for tight binding of CbpAN, present the crystal structure of the complex and identify the critical structural determinants for host-specific F

SUBMITTER: Achila D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5600146 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature