Streptococcus pyogenes protein F promotes invasion of HeLa cells

Nobuhiko Okada*, Ichiro Tatsuno, Emanuel Hanski, Michael Caparon, Chihiro Sasakawa

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although the Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) has been considered an extracellular pathogen which adheres to human mucosal epithelium, the streptococcus possesses invasive capacity for cultured human epithelial cells. This study provides genetic and functional evidence supporting the conclusion that protein F is capable of mediating entry of S. pyogenes into HeLa cells. Using Tn916 insertion mutagenesis or an isogenic S. pyogenes strain with a defined mutation in the gene encoding protein F (prtF), it was observed that the invasive capacity was affected by the levels of surface-exposed protein F, but not by those of M protein. In addition, heterologous expression of protein F on Enterococcus faecalis conferred upon the bacteria an efficient invasive phenotype. Several assays demonstrated that both the fibronectin-binding domains of protein F, UR and RD2, were involved in host-cell invasion. In addition, coinfection experiments of HeLa cells with S. pyogenes and an Escherichia coli K-12 strain expressing an afimbrial adhesin AFA-I showed that the uptake of S. pyogenes did not permit internalization of the E. coli cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3079-3086
Number of pages8
JournalMicrobiology
Volume144
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1998

Keywords

  • Invasion
  • Streptococcal infection
  • Transposon mutagenesis
  • Virulence

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Streptococcus pyogenes protein F promotes invasion of HeLa cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this