Abstract
Interaction of the M-protein of group A Streptococcus (GAS) with its numerous host binding partners might assist the bacteria in evading host immune responses. Although the extensive diversity of this protein has been highlighted by different GAS typing schemes, most of the structural and functional information has been obtained from a limited number of types. Increasing numbers of epidemiological, clinical and biological reports suggest that the structure and function of the M protein is less conserved than previously thought. This review focuses on the known interactions between M proteins and host ligand proteins, emphasizing that our understanding of this well-studied molecule is fragmented.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Antigens, Bacterial / chemistry*
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Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
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Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism*
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Bacterial Adhesion
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / immunology
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
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Carrier Proteins / chemistry*
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Carrier Proteins / immunology
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Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
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Fibrinolysis
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Humans
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Immunoglobulins / immunology
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Immunoglobulins / metabolism
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Inflammation / immunology
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Inflammation / microbiology
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Kininogens / metabolism
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Ligands
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Protein Conformation
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Streptococcal Infections / immunology
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Streptococcal Infections / metabolism
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Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
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Streptococcus pyogenes* / chemistry
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Streptococcus pyogenes* / genetics
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Streptococcus pyogenes* / immunology
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Streptococcus pyogenes* / metabolism
Substances
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Antigens, Bacterial
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
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Carrier Proteins
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Immunoglobulins
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Kininogens
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Ligands
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streptococcal M protein