Amino acids in pneumolysin important for hemolytic activity identified by random mutagenesis

Infect Immun. 1994 Feb;62(2):757-8. doi: 10.1128/iai.62.2.757-758.1994.

Abstract

The structural gene of pneumolysin was randomly mutagenized. A screen, developed to identify mutants with reduced hemolytic activity, identified substitutions within the cysteine-containing region and also at residues toward the N terminus of the toxin. These are the first reported changes within the N-terminal region of the toxin that affect cytolytic activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Hemolysis
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mutagenesis
  • Point Mutation
  • Sheep
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / genetics
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / pathogenicity
  • Streptolysins / genetics*
  • Streptolysins / toxicity*
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Streptolysins
  • plY protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae