Isolation of heart- and kidney-binding protein from group A streptococci

Tritium-labeled, water-soluble components of Streptococcus pyogenes type M6 absorbed to cardiac tissue in vitro. Tissue binding was time dependent, saturable, and reversible. Chromatography of the crude bacterial extract on Bio-Gel P-300 indicated a molecular weight greater than 300,000 for the heart-binding component. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) dissociated this aggregate into a protein of 18,000 to 20,000 daltons as determined by Sephacryl S-200 chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. The tissue-binding protein was also purified from streptococcal extracts by absorption to immobilized heart components. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the protein desorbed from tissue revealed a radioactive band of 19,000 daltons. Indirect immunofluorescence tests on cardiac tissue treated with streptococcal extract showed an accumulation of a bacterial antigen on the sarcolemmal sheaths. Streptococcal components also adsorbed to basement membranes of kidney. Antisera prepared to isolated cytoplasmic membranes and water-soluble extracts of S. pyogenes type M6 were the most sensitive reagents for the detection of bacterial components bound to tissue. Antisera prepared to isolated cell walls and to intact bacteria were weakly reactive in these assays.