Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

15.8K

Identification of PblB mediating galactose-specific adhesion in a successful Streptococcus pneumoniae clone

Yu-Chia Hsieh1, Tzu-Lung Lin2, Che-Ming Lin1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Scientific Reports
|July 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Pneumococcal PblB protein enhances bacterial adherence to lung cells and is crucial for persistence in the respiratory tract. This adhesin promotes the success of pneumococcal clones, particularly in pediatric pneumonia cases.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The pneumococcal genome exhibits variability, with limited understanding of accessory genome's phenotypic impact.
  • Pneumococcal serotype 14 sequence type (ST) 46 was a predominant cause of pediatric pneumonia in Taiwan.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genomic variations in a prevalent Taiwanese pneumococcal strain (serotype 14 ST46).
  • To determine the role of the PblB protein in pneumococcal adherence and virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a microarray using genomic DNA from a clinical pneumococcal strain (NTUH-P15).
  • DNA hybridization to compare genomic variations against control strains.
  • Analysis of a pblB mutant strain for adherence and in vivo persistence in a mouse model.

Main Results:

  • Microarray identified 7 genomic regions with increased hybridization in NTUH-P15, including the PblB virulence factor.
  • A pblB mutant showed significantly reduced adherence to human lung epithelial cells (A549).
  • PblB was essential for bacterial persistence in the nasopharynx and lungs of mice.

Conclusions:

  • PblB functions as a galactose-specific adhesin, mediating pneumococcal attachment to host cells.
  • PblB contributes to the clonal success of Streptococcus pneumoniae by promoting adherence and persistence.

More Related Videos

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP009208:53

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP0092

Published on: October 2, 2017

32.0K
Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

13.2K

Related Concept Videos

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
83
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity01:09

GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity

Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of...
8.3K
Peptidoglycan Synthesis01:28

Peptidoglycan Synthesis

Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. It consists of repeating units of two sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These sugar chains are cross-linked by short peptide chains, forming a mesh-like polymer that surrounds the bacterial plasma membrane.Cytoplasmic Phase – Precursor SynthesisPeptidoglycan...
4.2K
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence01:28

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
41
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides01:19

Formation of Lipopolysaccharides

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are crucial components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, serving both structural and functional roles. It contributes to membrane stability and protects bacteria from host immune responses. LPS is composed of three major regions—lipid A, a core oligosaccharide, and an O antigen. The biosynthesis and assembly of LPS involve a highly coordinated set of enzymatic reactions and transport mechanisms. Additionally, LPS is recognized as an endotoxin,...
967
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
4.6K