Genome Analysis Reveals Pili in Group B Streptococcus
Science, 2005•science.org
Pili are essential virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria; however, they have not
been described in most important Gram-positive pathogens. While screening the sequence
of multiple genomes of Group B Streptococcus, we identified protective antigens that formed
high molecular weight polymers. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the
structures have a pilus-like form. These large structures have gone unrecognized in
decades of studies of Group B Streptococcus.
been described in most important Gram-positive pathogens. While screening the sequence
of multiple genomes of Group B Streptococcus, we identified protective antigens that formed
high molecular weight polymers. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the
structures have a pilus-like form. These large structures have gone unrecognized in
decades of studies of Group B Streptococcus.
Pili are essential virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria; however, they have not been described in most important Gram-positive pathogens. While screening the sequence of multiple genomes of Group B Streptococcus, we identified protective antigens that formed high molecular weight polymers. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the structures have a pilus-like form. These large structures have gone unrecognized in decades of studies of Group B Streptococcus.
AAAS