Characterization of the pgf operon involved in the posttranslational modification of Streptococcus mutans surface proteins

Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 16;8(1):4705. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23170-3.

Abstract

Protein glycosylation has been described as the most abundant and complex post-translational modification occurring in nature. Recent studies have enhanced our view of how this modification occurs in bacteria highlighting the role of protein glycosylation in various processes such as biofilm formation, virulence and host-microbe interactions. We recently showed that the collagen- and laminin-binding adhesin Cnm of the dental pathogen Streptococcus mutans is post-translationally modified by the PgfS glycosyltransferase. Following this initial identification of Cnm as a glycoprotein, we have now identified additional genes (pgfM1, pgfE and pgfM2) that are also involved in the posttranslational modification of Cnm. Similar to the previously characterized ΔpgfS strain, inactivation of pgfM1, pgfE or pgfM2 directly impacts Cnm by altering its migration pattern, proteolytic stability and function. In addition, we identified the wall-associated protein A (WapA) as an additional substrate of Pgf-dependent modification. We conclude that the pgS-pgfM1-pgfE-pgfM2 operon encodes for a protein machinery that can modify, likely through the addition of glycans, both core and non-core gene products in S. mutans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adhesins, Bacterial / chemistry
  • Adhesins, Bacterial / genetics
  • Adhesins, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / microbiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Glycosylation
  • Glycosyltransferases / chemistry
  • Glycosyltransferases / genetics
  • Glycosyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Operon*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcus mutans / genetics
  • Streptococcus mutans / growth & development
  • Streptococcus mutans / metabolism*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Adhesins, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cnm protein, Streptococcus mutans
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Collagen
  • Glycosyltransferases