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RrgA is a pilus-associated adhesin in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

A L Nelson¹, J Ries, F Bagnoli

¹Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control and Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Molecular Microbiology

|September 14, 2007

Summary

Streptococcus pneumoniae uses pili for host cell adherence. The RrgA subunit is key for this bacterial colonization and disease, even without forming pili.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Bacterial Pathogenesis
Molecular Biology

Background:

Host cell adherence is crucial for microbial colonization of mucosal surfaces.
Streptococcus pneumoniae utilizes extracellular pili, composed of RrgA, RrgB, and RrgC subunits, to enhance adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify the specific subunit(s) responsible for Streptococcus pneumoniae adherence.
To elucidate the role of RrgA in pilus-mediated adherence and colonization.

Main Methods:

Investigated adherence of wild-type and mutant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains lacking specific pilus subunits (RrgA, RrgB, RrgC).
Assessed binding of recombinant RrgA and RrgC to respiratory cells.
Evaluated bacterial colonization in a mouse model of upper respiratory tract infection.

Main Results:

Bacteria deficient in RrgA showed significantly reduced adherence, while RrgA overexpression enhanced it.
Recombinant RrgA demonstrated binding to respiratory cells, with RrgC showing lower affinity.
RrgA-positive strains lacking pili maintained wild-type adherence, and non-piliated RrgA-negative strains had reduced colonization in mice.

Conclusions:

RrgA is the primary determinant of pilus-mediated adherence and colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
RrgA mediates adherence independently of polymeric pilus formation.
RrgA plays a central role in Streptococcus pneumoniae pathogenesis.