A lantibiotic gene family widely distributed in Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus pyogenes.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
J R Tagg
Publications and source records attributed to J R Tagg.
Cloning of the gene encoding Streptococcin A-FF22, a novel lantibiotic produced by Streptococcus pyogenes, and determination of its nucleotide sequence.
Streptococcin A-FF22 (SA-FF22) is a lantibiotic produced by Streptococcus pyogenes FF22. The nucleotide sequence of the SA-FF22 structural gene (scnA) was determined and shown to encode a 51-amino-acid prepeptide. The proteolytic processing site of the SA-FF22 prepeptide differs from that which characterizes other type A lantibiotics.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Isolation and characterization of the lantibiotic salivaricin A and its structural gene salA from Streptococcus salivarius 20P3.
A bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance, salivaricin A, was purified from cultures of Streptococcus salivarius 20P3 and was shown by ion spray mass spectrometry to have a molecular mass of 2,315 +/- 1.1 Da. Amino acid composition analysis demonstrated the presence of lanthionine, indicating that salivaricin A may be a member of the lantibiotic class of antibiotic substances. The sequence of eight amino acids at the N terminus of the molecule was determined by Edman degradation, and mixed oligonucleotide probes based on part of this sequence (GSGWIA) were used to detect the salivaricin A structural gene. A 6.2-kb EcoRI fragment of chromosomal DNA from strain 20P3 that hybridized with the probes was cloned, and the hybridizing region was further localized to a 379-bp DraI-AluI fragment. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of this fragment indicated that salivaricin A is synthesized as a 51-amino-acid prepeptide that is posttranslationally modified and cleaved to give a biologically active 22-residue peptide containing one lanthionine and two beta-methyllanthionine residues. The secondary structure of presalivaricin A was predicted to be similar to that of type A lantibiotics, with a hydrophilic alpha-helical leader sequence and a propeptide region with potential for beta-turn formation and a lack of alpha-helicity. The sequence around the cleavage site of presalivaricin A differed from that of other type A lantibiotics but was similar to that of several bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances produced by lactic acid bacteria.
Alanine↗
Lantibiotic-mediated anti-lactobacillus activity of a vaginal Staphylococcus aureus isolate.
Staphylococcus aureus strain 26 inhibited the growth of 23 of 26 lactobacilli of endocervical origin, but only two of 17 staphylococci, in deferred antagonism tests. The inhibitory agent, a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) named staphylococcin Au-26, was obtained from vigorously shaken liquid cultures containing a 0.1% (v/v) supplement of Tween 80 and was purified by chromatographic fractionation on XAD-2, carboxymethyl Sephadex and reversed phase HPLC. The molecular mass of staphylococcin Au-26 was estimated by SDS-PAGE to be approx. 2700. The detection of lanthionine residues in the molecule, the high stability to heating at acidic but not alkaline pH values and inactivation by proteinases indicate that staphylococcin Au-26 is a member of the lantibiotic class of peptide antibiotics--the first reported to be produced by a S. aureus strain. Primary sequence analysis showed that the N-terminus of the molecule is isoleucine, a characteristic also displayed by the lantibiotics nisin, epidermin and gallidermin.
Amino Acids↗
Factors affecting production of the group A streptococcus bacteriocin SA-FF22.
Factors influencing the production of streptococcin A-FF22 (SA-FF22) in liquid media were examined. Despite good growth of the producer strain, no SA-FF22 was detected during incubation at 40 degrees C, at pH 7, in Brain Heart Infusion Broth or in Mg(2+)-supplemented media. Optimal SA-FF22 production occurred at 32 degrees C, at pH 6.7, in cultures in Tryptic Soy Broth supplemented with glucose 2.25% and yeast extract 1%. Under these conditions SA-FF22 remained cell-associated but could be extracted with acid.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Genotypic and phenotypic analysis of Streptococcus uberis isolated from bovine mammary secretions.
Genotypic and phenotypic analysis of 42 strains of Streptococcus uberis isolated from mammary secretions of 17 cows collected at different periods of the lactation cycle and from episodes of clinical mastitis were performed. Seventeen restriction endonuclease fingerprint (REF) patterns and 12 bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) fingerprints were observed. REF identified and differentiated closely related strains of S. uberis isolated from mammary secretions collected from the same cow at different periods of the lactation cycle and from episodes of clinical mastitis. BLIS fingerprinting of S. uberis complemented REF results. REF and BLIS fingerprinting provided evidence concerning persistence of infection in the same quarter or different quarters of the mammary gland over different periods of the lactation cycle, and occurrence of infection with similar and dissimilar strains of S. uberis. Biochemical profiles could not identify closely related strains nor did they complement REF results. Antibiotic resistance patterns alone were of little value in differentiating closely related strains, but were identical with isolates having same REF pattern. None of the S. uberis strains was found to carry plasmids. REF and BLIS fingerprinting can be utilized effectively to differentiate closely related and unrelated strains of S. uberis isolated from bovine mammary secretions.
Animals↗
Applications of BLIS typing to studies of the survival on surfaces of salivary streptococci and staphylococci.
A typing scheme based on detection of the production of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) was a useful tool in a series of epidemiological studies of the spread and survival on surfaces of salivary streptococci and staphylococci. The organisms survived for longer periods on glass, plastic, stainless steel and latex surfaces than on unpainted wood or paper. The presence of saliva as a suspending medium prolonged the viability of Staphylococcus aureus C55 and Streptococcus pyogenes FF22 but not of Strep. salivarius Min 5. Young children were shown to carry Strep. salivarius of identical BLIS-types on their fingers and in their saliva. BLIS typing of Strep. salivarius strains obtained from telephone mouthpieces and from the tongue-sealed flap of envelopes was used as a method of tracing the human source of the salivary deposits.
Adult↗
Inverse correlation in nutritionally variant streptococci between the production of bacteriolytic activity and sensitivity to a Streptococcus pyogenes bacteriocinlike inhibitory substance.
Nineteen strains of nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS) were tested for bacteriolytic activity and for their production of and sensitivity to streptococcal bacteriocinlike inhibitory substances (BLIS). None appeared to produce BLIS. An inverse relationship was found between the sensitivity to BLIS and the production of bacteriolytic activity against Micrococcus luteus. All but one of the 14 Streptococcus defectivus isolates were sensitive to the BLIS of S. pyogenes P5, and these isolates were nonlytic. The five S. adjacens isolates were not sensitive to any BLIS tested, and all of these isolates displayed bacteriolytic activity. Sensitivity to the BLIS of S. agalactiae P3 separated the nonlytic S. defectivus strains into two categories.
Bacteriocins↗
The prevention of dental caries by BLIS-mediated inhibition of mutans streptococci.
Many of the strategies that have been formulated to decrease the incidence of dental caries have focused upon attempting to reduce either the numbers or the acidogenic activities in dental plaque of the mutans streptococci. In recent years there has been a growing interest in a new method of caries control which depends upon exploiting the ability of certain bacteria to produce antibiotics called bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) with killing activity for mutans streptococci. The approaches under investigation include either the regular oral administration of the purified BLIS or the genetic modification of existing plaque bacteria such that they produce the antimutans BLIS in situ.
Antibiosis↗
Studies of "BLIS-ful" oral bacteria.
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Bacteria↗
A longitudinal study of Lancefield group A streptococcus acquisitions by a group of young Dunedin schoolchildren.
Paired saliva and pharyngeal cultures obtained on nine occasions over a 27-month period from a group of 103 young Dunedin schoolchildren were tested for beta haemolytic Lancefield group A streptococci. Approximately 20% of the 858 pharyngeal cultures and 5% of the saliva cultures were positive. Although group A streptococci were isolated at least once from 59 (57.3%) of the subjects, only seven cases of clinically apparent group A streptococcus pharyngitis were detected at the time of specimen taking. The study has shown that pharyngeal acquisitions of group A streptococci occur frequently in some young schoolchildren. Carriage of small numbers of group A streptococci in the absence of clinical symptoms of infection was common and in ten children the same type of group A streptococcus was consistently recovered from pharyngeal cultures over periods of more than 12 months. It remains unclear why some children do not seem to so readily acquire group A streptococci, while others develop serious delayed sequelae to these infections.
Carrier State↗
Environmental influences on the progression of clinical and microbiological parameters of sheep periodontal disease.
The responses of some clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontal disease (PD) in sheep were examined subsequent to transferring animals between PD-affected and PD-free farms. Previously healthy animals showed transient deterioration in some clinical, but not microbiological parameters, which suggests either that a different microbiota to the one studied may be more important in the initiation of the disease, or that sampling did not intercept periods of destructive disease activity in the early lesions. In sheep with established disease, those parameters indicative of periodontitis which included pocket depth and bleeding on probing as well as the proportions of black-pigmented Bacteroides species were not significantly altered by environmental changes. This observation suggests that once the disease is established on PD-affected farms, the hand, some clinical signs of the disease including lengthening and mobility of incisor teeth increased in sheep on the PD-affected farm relative to the PD-free farm. This suggests that the disease may have a complex aetiology.
Animals↗
Use of an inhibitor typing scheme to study the epidemiology of Streptococcus uberis mastitis.
An inhibitor typing scheme, based on the production of and sensitivity to bacteriocin-like inhibitor substances was used to identify strains of Streptococcus uberis obtained from skin swabs and milk samples of dairy cows. Thirty-nine isolates from one herd were compared, with one isolate examined per site for any sampling day. Eighteen different inhibitor profiles were observed from these isolates. When several isolates were obtained from various skin sites on a cow on the same day, the inhibitor profiles were all different. In three cases, Str. uberis was simultaneously isolated from milk sample and teat surface of the same quarter, but similar inhibitor profiles were only observed for one pair of isolates. Furthermore, when several isolates were obtained by repeated swabbing of a single skin site on a cow on the same day, differences in the inhibitor profiles were again seen. It is likely that numerous strains of Str. uberis are capable of producing clinical mastitis since a comparison of ten isolates obtained from cases of clinical mastitis revealed eight different inhibitor profiles. Monthly sampling (April-November) of eleven cows revealed that Str. uberis could be isolated from the skin of the abdominal wall, medial thigh, udder and teats, but was not isolated from the rectum of any of the cows. Str. uberis was more frequently isolated from the skin and milk samples during the winter when the cows had been dried off, than during the spring and autumn.
Journal Article↗
Suspected periodontopathic bacteria associated with broken-mouth periodontitis in sheep.
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Actinobacillus↗
Toxic shock syndrome.
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Bacterial Toxins↗
Quantification of the bacterium Bacteroides gingivalis in human dental plaque by detection of the trypsin-like protease activity of colonies imprinted on membrane filters.
Individual colonies of this organism in primary cultures of human dental plaque were distinguished from colonies of other species of black-pigmented Bacteroides by detection of their trypsin-like proteolytic activity using a specific chromogenic enzyme substrate.
Bacteroides↗
Relationship of bacteriocin-like inhibitor production to the pigmentation and hemolytic activity of mutans streptococci.
An inhibitor production typing (P-typing) scheme originally devised for hemolytic streptococci of Lancefield groups A-G has been successfully applied to 35 mutans streptococcus isolates recovered from plaque cultures of 60 Dunedin schoolchildren. Thirteen different P-type designations were identified. Although 11 (31%) of the isolates failed to produce detectable inhibitory activity on the conventional blood agar medium used for P-typing, four of these isolates were inhibitor-positive on Trypticase Soy agar supplemented with 2% yeast extract and 0.5% calcium carbonate (TSYCa). Four mutans strains displayed strong beta-hemolysis on Columbia agar base containing human blood when incubated in a 5% CO2 in air atmosphere. Three of these also produced weak beta-hemolysis on sheep blood-supplemented medium and were further distinctive in that they were the only inhibitor P-type 767 strains to be detected in the present study. Five mutans isolates were pigment producers and this property seemed to occur independently of both the beta-hemolytic activity and the P-type designation. Upon testing an additional collection of 18 mutans strains of various serotypes, only seven (39%) were inhibitor-positive. However, three of the four serotype c strains were inhibitor producers. Two strains of serotype d and one of serotype g were more hemolytic on sheep than on human blood agar medium. In general, it seems that the most common human mutans streptococci (serotype c strains) are more likely than are other mutans strains to produce bacteriocin-like inhibitory activity and to be hemolytic for human rather than sheep erythrocytes.
Bacteriocins↗
Characterization of Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Lancefield group C) from human and selected animal infections.
We assembled an international collection of strains from sporadic and epidemic human infection with Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Lancefield group C) for laboratory study. Cultural and physiological characteristics of the isolates were determined, including biotyping with the API 20 STREP test kit and susceptibility testing with penicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline. The strains were examined for bacteriocin production and sensitivity and typed with a specially developed group-C streptococcal bacteriophage system incorporating a panel of 14 phages. Results of these tests gave useful discrimination between many of the strains: differences were shown between each of the major outbreak strains, including those complicated by post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Serious group C streptococcal infection may be caused by S. zooepidemicus and isolates should be identified to species level; the application of a typing scheme such as this may help to distinguish epidemiological patterns of infection.
Animals↗