The Putative Glycosyltransferase-Encoding Gene <i>cylJ</i> and the Group B Streptococcus (GBS)-Specific Gene <i>cylK</i> Modulate Hemolysin Production and Virulence of GBS

Abstract

Group B streptococcus (GBS) expresses a hemolysin/cytolysin that plays an important role in pathogenesis. Using the Himar1 transposon mutagenesis system, a hypohemolytic mutant carrying an interrupted cylJ gene was characterized. cylJ, encoding a putative glycosyltransferase, and cylK, whose product is unknown, are both required for the full hemolytic/cytolytic activity, pigment formation, and virulence of GBS.