Related Experiment Videos
Transport and processing of staphylococcal enterotoxin B.
Journal of Bacteriology
|January 1, 1983
Summary
A precursor form of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is membrane-bound and processed before release. This toxin is temporarily associated with the cell wall, requiring cell wall integrity for its release.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a potent superantigen.
- The secretion pathway of SEB is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the precursor forms and secretion pathway of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB).
Main Methods:
- In vivo pulse-chase analysis
- Subcellular fractionation
- Protease treatment and salt extraction
- Lysostaphin-mediated cell wall removal
Main Results:
- A larger, membrane-bound precursor of SEB was identified.
- SEB precursor processing can occur co- or post-translationally.
- Precursor SEB is associated with the membrane fraction.
- Processed SEB transiently associates with the cell wall, requiring cell wall integrity for release.
- Cell wall-associated SEB is resistant to protease and salt extraction but released by lysostaphin.
Conclusions:
- Newly synthesized SEB is temporarily sequestered in specialized regions requiring cell wall integrity before extracellular release.
- This pathway suggests a novel mechanism for bacterial toxin secretion.