TABLE 1.

S. pyogenes M49 and M2 mutants with knockouts in genes encoding putative virulence factors for pathogenesis of skin infections

Gene	Protein productd	Source or reference (protein type)
mgaa	trans-Acting activator of virR regulon transcription	58 (M49)
mrpa	IgG-binding protein; ability to bind IgG correlates with ability to survive in human blood and to cause invasive infections when injected subcutaneously in mice	58 (M49), 37 (M2)
emma	M and M-like proteins; prevent complement-mediated phagocytosis	58 (M49), 37 (M2)
enna	IgA-binding protein	58 (M49)
scpa	C5a peptidase; delays influx of neutrophils into a nidus of infection	58 (M49)
orfXa	Potential surface protein of unknown function	62 (M49)
hasb	Hyaluronic acid capsule; antiphagocytic, associated with severe, invasive infections	44 (M49), 29 (M2), 4 (M3), 46 (M18)
hasb emm	See has and emm	This study (M49)
speB	Streptococcal cysteine protease; associated with severe, invasive disease	31 (M49)
oppA to oppFb	Oligopeptide permease protein (Opp) complex; postulated to be involved in adherence	59 (M49)
oppAb	Membrane-associated substrate-binding lipoprotein of the Opp complex	59 (M49)
oppD/Fb	Inner-membrane-associated ATPases of the Opp complex	59 (M49)
ska	Streptokinase; activates plasminogen, resulting in unregulated generation of plasmin, which has cell surface enzymatic activity	14 (M49)
sdaD	Extracellular DNase; expression of anti-DNase antibodies occurs during infections	61 (M49)
rof	Negative regulator of genes encoding a collagen-binding protein and protein F2, which binds fibronectin	63 (M49)
ciab	Two-component sensor regulator involved in cell wall synthesis	43 (M49)c
lrp	Regulatory element involved in starvation control	(M49)c

^aComponent of vir regulon. 

^bPolar mutants. 

^cDerivation of mutant (unpublished). 

^dIgG, immunoglobulin G; IgA, immunoglobulin A.