Multiple length peptide-pheromone variants produced by Streptococcus pyogenes directly bind Rgg proteins to confer transcriptional regulation

Abstract

Background: Bacterial peptide pheromones control gene expression via Rgg family transcription factors in Streptococcus. Results: Pheromone length variants produced by S. pyogenes directly bind Rgg receptors with Kd values ranging from 0.5 to 5μM. Conclusion: Peptide variant activities correlate with binding affinities. Significance: Bioactivity and receptor-ligand affinity assays developed herein provide a platform to discover quorum-sensing inhibitors. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.