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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP0092
Published on: October 2, 2017
A direct link between carbohydrate utilization and virulence in the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus
Samuel A Shelburne1, David Keith, Nicola Horstmann
1Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) virulence is linked to carbohydrate metabolism via catabolite control protein A (CcpA). This regulator impacts virulence factor production and colonization, offering insights into pathogen mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Molecular mechanisms of microbial virulence factor regulation during host-pathogen interactions are not well understood.
- Group A Streptococcus (GAS) virulence gene expression correlates with carbohydrate utilization gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of catabolite control protein A (CcpA) in GAS pathogenesis.
- To analyze the genomewide effects of CcpA in a human pathogen.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome analysis of a DeltaccpA isogenic mutant strain.
- Virulence assessment in a mouse model of invasive infection.
- In vitro studies of CcpA binding to virulence gene promoters.
Main Results:
- CcpA regulates carbohydrate utilization genes and GAS virulence factors, including streptolysin S.
- DeltaccpA mutant strains exhibit reduced virulence and oropharyngeal colonization in mice.
- CcpA influences virulence factor production differently in nutrient-rich versus nutrient-limited (saliva) environments.
Conclusions:
- GAS virulence and carbohydrate utilization are directly linked through CcpA.
- CcpA is a key regulator modulating virulence factor production in response to environmental cues.
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