Group A streptococcal cysteine protease cleaves epithelial junctions and contributes to bacterial translocation

Abstract

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) translocates across the host epithelial barrier. Results: Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB) directly cleaves junctional proteins. Conclusion: The proteolytic efficacy of SpeB allows GAS to translocate across the epithelial barrier. Significance: SpeB-mediated dysfunction of the epithelial barrier may have important implications for not only bacterial invasion but also dissemination of other virulence factors throughout intercellular spaces. Copyright © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.