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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen
Published on: March 21, 2011
The role of complex carbohydrate catabolism in the pathogenesis of invasive streptococci
Samuel A Shelburne1, Michael T Davenport, David B Keith
1Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Historically, the study of bacterial catabolism of complex carbohydrates has contributed to understanding basic bacterial physiology. Recently, however, genome-wide screens of streptococcal pathogenesis have identified genes encoding proteins involved in complex carbohydrate catabolism as participating in pathogen infectivity. Subsequent studies have focused on specific mechanisms by which carbohydrate utilization proteins might contribute to the ability of streptococci to colonize and infect the host. Moreover, transcriptome and biochemical analyses have uncovered novel regulatory pathways by which streptococci link environmental carbohydrate availability to virulence factor production. Herein we review new insights into the role of complex carbohydrates in streptococcal host-pathogen interaction.
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