Characterization of a putative maltodextrin-binding protein of Streptococcus pyogenes, SPs0871 and the development of a VHH inhibitor

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2021 May 30;565:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.05.056. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTStreptococcus pyogenes causes a wide range of human infections. Currently, antibiotics are the main treatment for S. pyogenes infection, but serious anti-microbial resistance requires alternative treatment options. To develop a novel strategy for treatment, we physicochemically characterized SPs0871, a putative maltose/maltodextrin-binding protein that is thought to have important roles in the pathogenesis of invasive streptococci. We obtained a variable domain of heavy chain of heavy-chain antibody, the smallest unit of an antibody, which specifically binds to SPs0871. Although the VHH completely inhibited the binding of maltodextrins to SPs0871, the inhibition did not lead to growth suppression of the bacteria. Our results provide important insights for development of VHH as an anti-streptococcal therapeutic.PMID:34077827 | DOI:10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.05.056

Source: Biochemical and Biophysical Research communications - June 2, 2021 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tsukushi Yamawaki Makoto Nakakido Kan Ujiie Chihiro Aikawa Ichiro Nakagawa Kouhei Tsumoto Source Type: research