Pneumolysin

3D structure of pneumolysin

Pneumolysin is a virulence factor of the Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.

It is a pore-forming toxin of 53 kDa composed of 471 amino acids. It has a range of biological activity, including the ability to lyse and interfere with the function of cells and soluble molecules of the immune system.

Released pneumolysin will aid the bacteria during colonization by facilitating adherence to the host, during invasion by damaging host cells and during infection by interfering with the host immune response.

The presence of pneumolysin in sputum, urine, CSF and blood can be indicative of an S. pneumoniae infection.

References

  1. ↑ Rossjohn, J; Gilbert, RJ; Crane, D; Morgan, PJ; et al. (Nov 27, 1998). "The molecular mechanism of pneumolysin, a virulence factor from Streptococcus pneumoniae". Journal of Molecular Biology. 284 (2): 449–61. doi:10.1006/jmbi.1998.2167. hdl:2381/22549. PMID 9813129.
  2. ↑ Marriott, HM; Mitchell, TJ; Dockrell, DH (September 2008). "Pneumolysin: A double-edged sword during the host-pathogen interaction". Current Molecular Medicine. 8 (6): 497–509. doi:10.2174/156652408785747924. PMID 18781957.
  3. ↑ Baba, H; Kawamura, I; Kohda, C; Nomura, T; et al. (February 16, 2001). "Essential role of domain 4 of pneumolysin from Streptococcus pneumoniae in cytolytic activity as determined by truncated proteins". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 281 (1): 37–44. doi:10.1006/bbrc.2001.4297. PMID 11178957.
  4. ↑ Hirst, RA; Kadioglu, A; O'callaghan, C; Andrew, PW (November 2004). "The role of pneumolysin in pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis". Clinical and Experimental Immunology. 138 (2): 195–201. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2004.02611.x. PMC 1809205. PMID 15498026.
  5. ↑ Rubins, JB; Paddock, AH; Charboneau, D; Berry, AM; et al. (December 1998). "Pneumolysin in pneumococcal adherence and colonization". Microbial Pathogenesis. 25 (6): 337–42. doi:10.1006/mpat.1998.0239. PMID 9895272.
  6. ↑ Rubins, JB; Janoff, EN (January 1998). "Pneumolysin: A multifunctional pneumococcal virulence factor". The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine. 131 (1): 21–7. doi:10.1016/s0022-2143(98)90073-7. PMID 9452123.
  7. ↑ Cockeran, R; Anderson, R; Feldman, C (June 2002). "The role of pneumolysin in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection". Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 15 (3): 235–9. doi:10.1097/00001432-200206000-00004. PMID 12015456.
  8. ↑ Wheeler, J; Freeman, R; Steward, M; Henderson, K; et al. (September 1999). "Detection of pneumolysin in sputum". Journal of Medical Microbiology. 48 (9): 863–6. doi:10.1099/00222615-48-9-863. PMID 10482298.
  9. ↑ Rajalakshmi, B; Kanungo, R; Srinivasan, S; Badrinath, S (Oct–Dec 2002). "Pneumolysin in urine: A rapid antigen detection method to diagnose pneumococcal pneumonia in children". Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. 20 (4): 183–6. PMID 17657067.
  10. ↑ Matos Jde, A; Madureira, DJ; Rebelo, MC; Hofer, CB; et al. (August 2006). "Diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the gene for pneumolysin". Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 101 (5): 559–63. doi:10.1590/s0074-02762006000500014. PMID 17072463.
  11. ↑ Lahti, E; Mertsola, J; Kontiokari, T; Eerola, E; et al. (December 2006). "Pneumolysin polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia and empyema in children". European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. 25 (12): 783–9. doi:10.1007/s10096-006-0225-9. PMID 17089094.