Leaderless secreted peptide signaling molecule alters global gene expression and increases virulence of a human bacterial pathogen.

ABSTRACT: Successful pathogens use complex signaling mechanisms to monitor their environment and reprogram global gene expression during specific stages of infection. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a major human pathogen that causes significant disease burden worldwide. A secreted cysteine protease known as streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB) is a key virulence factor that is produced abundantly during infection and is critical for GAS pathogenesis. Although identified nearly a century ago, the molecular basis for growth phase control of speB gene expression remains unknown. We have discovered that GAS uses a previously unknown peptide-mediated intercellular signaling system to control SpeB production, alter global gene expression, and enhance virulence. GAS produces an eight-ami

SUBMITTER: Do H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5635878 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature