Abstract
The cytolysin is a novel, two-peptide lytic toxin produced by some strains of Enterococcus faecalis. It is toxic in animal models of enterococcal infection, and associated with acutely terminal outcome in human infection. The cytolysin exerts activity against a broad spectrum of cell types including a wide range of gram positive bacteria, eukaryotic cells such as human, bovine and horse erythrocytes, retinal cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and human intestinal epithelial cells. The cytolysin likely originated as a bacteriocin involved with niche control in the complex microbial ecologies associated with eukaryotic hosts. However, additional anti-eukaryotic activities may have been selected for as enterococci adapted to eukaryotic cell predation in water or soil ecologies. Cytolytic activity requires two unique peptides that possess modifications characteristic of the lantibiotic bacteriocins, and these peptides are broadly similar in size to most cationic eukaryotic defensins. Expression of the cytolysin is tightly controlled by a novel mode of gene regulation in which the smaller peptide signals high-level expression of the cytolysin gene cluster. This complex regulation of cytolysin expression may have evolved to balance defense against eukaryotic predators with stealth.
Keywords: cytolysin, toxin, bacteriocin, hemolysin, enterococcal pathogenesis
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title: Enterococcal Cytolysin: A Novel Two Component Peptide System that Serves as a Bacterial Defense Against Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
Volume: 6 Issue: 1
Author(s): Christopher R. Cox, Phillip S. Coburn and Michael S. Gilmore
Affiliation:
Keywords: cytolysin, toxin, bacteriocin, hemolysin, enterococcal pathogenesis
Abstract: The cytolysin is a novel, two-peptide lytic toxin produced by some strains of Enterococcus faecalis. It is toxic in animal models of enterococcal infection, and associated with acutely terminal outcome in human infection. The cytolysin exerts activity against a broad spectrum of cell types including a wide range of gram positive bacteria, eukaryotic cells such as human, bovine and horse erythrocytes, retinal cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and human intestinal epithelial cells. The cytolysin likely originated as a bacteriocin involved with niche control in the complex microbial ecologies associated with eukaryotic hosts. However, additional anti-eukaryotic activities may have been selected for as enterococci adapted to eukaryotic cell predation in water or soil ecologies. Cytolytic activity requires two unique peptides that possess modifications characteristic of the lantibiotic bacteriocins, and these peptides are broadly similar in size to most cationic eukaryotic defensins. Expression of the cytolysin is tightly controlled by a novel mode of gene regulation in which the smaller peptide signals high-level expression of the cytolysin gene cluster. This complex regulation of cytolysin expression may have evolved to balance defense against eukaryotic predators with stealth.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Cox R. Christopher, Coburn S. Phillip and Gilmore S. Michael, Enterococcal Cytolysin: A Novel Two Component Peptide System that Serves as a Bacterial Defense Against Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2005; 6 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203053027557
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203053027557 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Biofilms: New Ideas for An Old Problem
Recent Patents on Biotechnology The Role of Beta-Blocker in Heart Failure in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Antibiotic Dosage Regimens in Respiratory Tract Infections in the Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Era
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Potential Antibacterial Activity of Yemeni Sidr Honey Against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i>
Anti-Infective Agents Therapeutic Potential of γ -Secretase Inhibitors and Modulators
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Comparative Biochemistry of GH3, GH20 and GH84 β-N-acetyl-Dhexosaminidases and Recent Progress in Selective Inhibitor Discovery
Current Drug Targets Total Synthesis of ME1036 Starting from Readily Available Inexpensive Materials
Letters in Organic Chemistry Protective Effects of Astaxanthin on Nephrotoxicity in Rats with Induced Renovascular Occlusion
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Exploiting Quorum Sensing Inhibition for the Control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii Biofilms
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Importance of Oral Health in Pregnancy: A Mini-symposium
Current Women`s Health Reviews Infection, Infectious Agents and Vascular Disease
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Production of Fibrinolytic Protease from a Halobacterium <i>Bacillus licheniformis</i> VITLMS Isolated from Marine Sponges of Rameshwaram Coast, India
Current Bioactive Compounds Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis: Diagnostic Approach and Treatment Options
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Virtual Screening for the Development of New Effective Compounds Against Staphylococcus aureus
Current Medicinal Chemistry Waste Material of Propolis as a Film Forming Agent Intended to Modify the Metronidazole Release: Preparation and Characterization
Current Drug Delivery Clinical Features and Disease Damage Risk Factors in an Egyptian SLE Cohort: A Multicenter Study
Current Rheumatology Reviews Perioperative Management of Patients with Down Syndrome
Current Pediatric Reviews Chemical Countermeasures for the Control of Bacterial Biofilms: Effective Compounds and Promising Targets
Current Medicinal Chemistry Sutureless Aortic Valve Replacement Using Perceval S Valve
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Probiotics: From Functional Foods to Pharmaceutical Products
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology