Molecular characteristics of an adhesion molecule containing cholesterol?dependent cytolysin?motif produced by mitis group streptococci

Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae (SPpn) is a relatively new species closely related to S. pneumoniae (SPn) and mitis (SM) belonging the Mitis group of genus (MGS). Although genes encoding various pneumococcal virulence factors have been observed in SPpn genome, pathogenicity against human, including roles factor candidates, still unclear. The present study focused on characterized candidate previously reported with deduced multiple functional domains, such as lipase domain, two lectin cholesterol-dependent cytolysin-related domain using recombinant proteins. gene was found not only but also strains SM SPn. Moreover, product expressed gene-positive secreted cell-bound forms. showed activity human cell-binding depending function domain(s), no hemolytic activity. Thus, based distribution within MGS its molecular function, named mitilectin (MLC) contribution potential MLC-producing investigated. Consequently, treatment anti-MLC antibody mlc gene-knockout significantly reduced strains. Therefore, multifunctional MLC suggested be important an adhesion molecule considering MGS, SM.