Role of pneumococcal cell surface protein, BgaA, in the pathogenic process

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K23053
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Takemura Moe 大阪大学, 歯学研究科, 特任研究員 (20876635)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 肺炎球菌 / 敗血症 / BgaA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Streptococcus pneumoniae is known as a major causative agent of invasive diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. In this study, in vitro and in vivo assays were performed to evaluate the role of BgaA as a virulence factor in sepsis. The results suggest that BgaA functions as a multifunctional virulence factor that induces tissue damage and blood coagulation in the host. In other words, the results suggest that BgaA may be an attractive target for drug discovery and vaccine development to control pneumococcal infection.

Free Research Field

細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

肺炎球菌の病原因子において、血液凝固に寄与する分子を初めて報告した。これまでに細菌感染において、宿主の血液凝固反応は注目されてこなかった。今後、本研究で実施した手法を応用することで、他の敗血症の原因菌となる病態解明につながることが期待される。また、糖鎖分解酵素であるBgaAは肺炎球菌で広く保存されており、有効な創薬標的となりうると考えられる。