Streptococcus agalactiae cDNA and recombinant antigen

Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as group B streptococcus (GBS), is a bacterium that commonly colonizes the human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. While GBS is typically harmless in healthy individuals, it can cause serious infections in vulnerable populations such as newborns, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Streptococcus agalactiae produces the key virulence factors of GBS is its ability to produce a variety of proteins that aid in colonization and evasion of the host immune system. Several of these proteins have been identified and studied in detail, including the Cpn60 groEL protein, C protein alpha antigen, C protein alpha-antigen, C protein immunoglobulin-A-binding beta antigen, Immunodominant antigen A, Pneumococcal vaccine antigen A, 67 kDa myosin-cross-reactive streptococcal antigen, and serotype Ia IgA-binding beta antigen.

Cpn60 groEL protein

The Cpn60 groEL protein is a chaperonin that helps other proteins to fold correctly. It has been shown to be essential for the survival of GBS in host cells and is a promising target for vaccine development.

C protein alpha antigen

The C protein alpha antigen is a surface protein that has been implicated in GBS adherence to host cells. It is also thought to play a role in immune evasion by binding to host antibodies and inhibiting complement activation.

C protein alpha-antigen

The C protein alpha-antigen is another surface protein that has been shown to be important for GBS colonization. It has been demonstrated to bind to components of the extracellular matrix and is required for efficient GBS invasion of host tissues.

C protein immunoglobulin-A-binding beta antigen

The C protein immunoglobulin-A-binding beta antigen is a surface protein that is thought to be involved in immune evasion. It has been shown to bind to secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), a type of antibody found in mucosal secretions, and may prevent it from neutralizing GBS.

Immunodominant antigen A

The Immunodominant antigen A is a surface protein that is highly immunogenic, meaning that it elicits a strong immune response. It has been proposed as a potential vaccine candidate due to its ability to induce protective antibodies.

Pneumococcal vaccine antigen A

The Pneumococcal vaccine antigen A is a protein that is also found in Streptococcus pneumoniae, another common cause of bacterial infections. It has been included in some pneumococcal vaccines and may provide cross-protection against GBS.

67 kDa myosin-cross-reactive streptococcal antigen

The 67 kDa myosin-cross-reactive streptococcal antigen is a protein that shares a similar structure to a protein found in human heart muscle. Antibodies against this protein may cross-react with the human protein, leading to autoimmune heart disease in some individuals.

Serotype Ia IgA-binding beta antigen

The serotype Ia IgA-binding beta antigen is a surface protein that is specific to a particular strain of GBS (serotype Ia). It has been shown to bind to secretory IgA and may play a role in GBS pathogenesis.