The putative glycosyltransferase-encoding gene cylJ and the group B Streptococcus (GBS)-specific gene cylK modulate hemolysin production and virulence of GBS

Infect Immun. 2007 Apr;75(4):2063-6. doi: 10.1128/IAI.01565-06. Epub 2007 Feb 5.

Abstract

Group B streptococcus (GBS) expresses a hemolysin/cytolysin that plays an important role in pathogenesis. Using the Himar1 transposon mutagenesis system, a hypohemolytic mutant carrying an interrupted cylJ gene was characterized. cylJ, encoding a putative glycosyltransferase, and cylK, whose product is unknown, are both required for the full hemolytic/cytolytic activity, pigment formation, and virulence of GBS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Economics
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Genes
  • Genes, Bacterial*
  • Glucosyltransferases / genetics*
  • Hemolysin Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional
  • Pigments, Biological / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / genetics
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / metabolism
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / pathogenicity*
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • Pigments, Biological
  • Glucosyltransferases