Nizet Lab Research - Streptococcal Surface Proteins

	Streptococcal Surface Proteins

In collaboration with Dr. Bernard Beall at the CDC in Atlanta, we have mapped the genomic location of the GAS gene encoding serum opacity factor (Sof), a bifunctional surface-anchored protein and virulence factor with lipoproteinase and fibronectin-binding properties. We discovered that Sof is invariably in a two gene operon with another novel fibronectin-binding protein that we have named SfbX. Precise, in-frame allelic exchange mutagenesis and heterologous expression studies are used to study the contribution of the sof/sfbX gene products to GAS invasion of host pharyngeal epithelial cells. Additional investigations are underway for novel surface anchored proteins of invasive GAS and GBS strains that play a role in host extracellular matrix binding, epithelial invasion, and antimicrobial peptide resistance.
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In collaboration with Dr. Bernard Beall at the CDC in Atlanta, we have mapped the genomic location of the GAS gene encoding serum opacity factor (Sof), a bifunctional surface-anchored protein and virulence factor with lipoproteinase and fibronectin-binding properties. We discovered that Sof is invariably in a two gene operon with another novel fibronectin-binding protein that we have named SfbX.

Precise, in-frame allelic exchange mutagenesis and heterologous expression studies are used to study the contribution of the sof/sfbX gene products to GAS invasion of host pharyngeal epithelial cells. Additional investigations are underway for novel surface anchored proteins of invasive GAS and GBS strains that play a role in host extracellular matrix binding, epithelial invasion, and antimicrobial peptide resistance.