Is plasminogen deployed as a Streptococcus pyogenes virulence factor?

Authors

Mark J. Walker, University of WollongongFollow
Jason D. McArthur, University of WollongongFollow
F. McKay, University of Wollongong
M. Ranson, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

13142

Publication Details

This article was originally published as Walker, MJ, McArthur, JD, McKay, F and Ranson, M, Is plasminogen deployed as a Streptococcus pyogenes virulence factor? Trends in Microbiology, 13 (7), 308-313, 2005. Copyright 2005 Elsevier. Journal information can be found here.

Abstract

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) causes human skin and throat infections as well as highly invasive diseases including necrotising fasciitis. Group A streptococcal infections and invasive disease have made a resurgence in developed countries over the last two decades. S. pyogenes utilise multiple pathways for the acquisition and activation of human plasminogen, securing potent proteolytic activity on the bacterial cell surface. Recent experimental evidence using a humanised transgenic mouse model suggests a critical role for human plasminogen in the dissemination of S. pyogenes in vivo.