Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Group A streptococcal phage T12 carries the structural gene for pyrogenic exotoxin type A

  • Published:
Molecular and General Genetics MGG Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The structural gene for group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) type A was cloned into E. coli. DNA fragments used for cloning the toxin gene were isolated from bacteriophage T12. Toxin, present in cell lysates of E. coli clones, immunoprecipitated with antisera raised against purified SPE type A and formed a line of identity with streptococcal-derived A toxin. The cloned toxin shared the following biological activities with streptococcal A toxin: Pyrogenicity; enhancement of host susceptibility to lethal endotoxin shock; nonspecific lymphocyte mitogenicity; and alteration of immunoglobulin production. The physical location of the toxin gene on the phage T12 genome was determined.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barsumian EL, Cunnigham CM, Schlievert PM, Watson DW (1978a) Heterogeneity of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type B. Infect Immun 20:512–518

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barsumian EL, Schlievert PM, Watson DW (1978b) Nonspecific and specific immunological mitogenicity by group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins. Infect Immun 22:681–688

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bingel KF (1949) Neue Untersuchungen zur Scharlachätiologie. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 74:703–706

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolivar F, Rodriguez RL, Greene PJ, Betlach MC, Heyneker HL, Boyer HW, Crosa JH, Falkow S (1977) Construction and characterization of new cloning vehicles II. A multipurpose cloning system. Gene 2:95–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clewell DB (1972) Nature of ColE1 plasmid replication in Escherichia coli in the presence of chloramphenicol. J Bacteriol 110:667–676

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cunnigham CM, Barsumian EL, Watson DW (1976) Further purification of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin and characterization of the purified toxin. Infect Immun 14:767–775

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cunnigham CM, Watson DW (1978a) Alteration of clearance function by group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin and its relation to suppression of the antibody response. Infect Immun 19:51–57

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cunnigham CM, Watson DW (1978b) Suppression of antibody response by group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin and characterization of the cells involved. Infect Immun 19:470–476

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duggleby RG, Kinns H, Rood JI (1981) A computer program for determining the size of DNA restriction fragments. Anal Biochem 110:49–55

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frobisher M, Brown JH (1927) Transmissible toxigenicity of streptococci. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp 41:167–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes DS, Quigley M (1981) A rapid boiling method for the preparation of bacterial plasmids. Anal Biochem 114:193–197

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson LP, Schlievert PM, Watson DW (1980) Transfer of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin production to nontoxigenic strains by lysogenic conversion. Infect Immun 28:254–257

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson LP, Schlievert PM (1983) A physical map of the group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin bacteriophage T12 genome. Mol Gen Genet 189:251–255

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim YB, Watson DW (1970) A purified group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin. Physicochemical and biological properties including the enhancement of susceptibility to endotoxin lethal shock. J Exp Med 131:611–628

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kushner SR (1978) An improved method for transformation of Escherichia coli with ColE1 derived plasmids. In: Boyer HB, Nicosia S (eds) Genetic engineering. Elsevier/North-Holland, Amsterdam, p 17

    Google Scholar 

  • McKane L, Ferretti JJ (1981) Phage-host interactions and the production of type A streptococcal exotoxin in group A streptococci. Infect Immun 34:915–919

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie DA (1970) Physical characterization of the DNA released from phage particles by heat inactivation. FEBS Lett 11:257–260

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schlievert PM, Bettin KM, Watson DW (1977) Purification and characterization of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type C. Infect Immun 16:673–679

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schlievert PM, Bettin KM, Watson DW (1979a) Reinterpretation of the Dick test: Role of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin. Infect Immun 26:467–472

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schlievert PM, Schoettle DJ, Watson DW (1979b) Nonspecific T lymphocyte mitogenesis by pyrogenic exotoxins from group A streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus. Infect Immun 25:1075–1077

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schlievert PM, Watson DW (1978) Group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin: pyrogenicity, alteration of blood-brain barrier, separation of sites for pyrogenicity and enhancement of lethal endotoxin shock. Infect Immun 21:753–763

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watson DW (1960) Host-parasite factors in group A streptococcal infections. Pyrogenic and other effects of immunologic distinct exotoxins related to scarlet fever toxins. J Exp Med 111:255–284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zabriskie JB (1964) The role of temperate bacteriophage in the production of erythrogenic toxin by group A streptococci. J Exp Med 119:761–780

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 55455, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Lane P. Johnson & Patrick M. Schlievert

Authors
  1. Lane P. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Patrick M. Schlievert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by G.A. O'Donovan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Johnson, L.P., Schlievert, P.M. Group A streptococcal phage T12 carries the structural gene for pyrogenic exotoxin type A. Molec. Gen. Genet. 194, 52–56 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383496

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383496

Keywords

Search

Navigation