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Detection of Streptococcus pyogenes M1UK in Australia and characterization of the mutation driving enhanced expression of superantigen SpeA

Author

Listed:
  • Mark R. Davies

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Nadia Keller

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Stephan Brouwer

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Magnus G. Jespersen

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Amanda J. Cork

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Andrew J. Hayes

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Miranda E. Pitt

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • David M. P. Oliveira

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Nichaela Harbison-Price

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Olivia M. Bertolla

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Daniel G. Mediati

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Bodie F. Curren

    (The University of Queensland)

  • George Taiaroa

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Jake A. Lacey

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Helen V. Smith

    (Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health)

  • Ning-Xia Fang

    (Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health)

  • Lachlan J. M. Coin

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Kerrie Stevens

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Steven Y. C. Tong

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
    at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Martina Sanderson-Smith

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Jai J. Tree

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Adam D. Irwin

    (University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research
    Queensland Children’s Hospital)

  • Keith Grimwood

    (Griffith University
    Gold Coast Health)

  • Benjamin P. Howden

    (The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)

  • Amy V. Jennison

    (Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health)

  • Mark J. Walker

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

A new variant of Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M1 (designated ‘M1UK’) has been reported in the United Kingdom, linked with seasonal scarlet fever surges, marked increase in invasive infections, and exhibiting enhanced expression of the superantigen SpeA. The progenitor S. pyogenes ‘M1global’ and M1UK clones can be differentiated by 27 SNPs and 4 indels, yet the mechanism for speA upregulation is unknown. Here we investigate the previously unappreciated expansion of M1UK in Australia, now isolated from the majority of serious infections caused by serotype M1 S. pyogenes. M1UK sub-lineages circulating in Australia also contain a novel toxin repertoire associated with epidemic scarlet fever causing S. pyogenes in Asia. A single SNP in the 5’ transcriptional leader sequence of the transfer-messenger RNA gene ssrA drives enhanced SpeA superantigen expression as a result of ssrA terminator read-through in the M1UK lineage. This represents a previously unappreciated mechanism of toxin expression and urges enhanced international surveillance.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark R. Davies & Nadia Keller & Stephan Brouwer & Magnus G. Jespersen & Amanda J. Cork & Andrew J. Hayes & Miranda E. Pitt & David M. P. Oliveira & Nichaela Harbison-Price & Olivia M. Bertolla & Danie, 2023. "Detection of Streptococcus pyogenes M1UK in Australia and characterization of the mutation driving enhanced expression of superantigen SpeA," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-36717-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36717-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stephan Brouwer & Timothy C. Barnett & Diane Ly & Katherine J. Kasper & David M. P. Oliveira & Tania Rivera-Hernandez & Amanda J. Cork & Liam McIntyre & Magnus G. Jespersen & Johanna Richter & Benjami, 2020. "Prophage exotoxins enhance colonization fitness in epidemic scarlet fever-causing Streptococcus pyogenes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Bo Yan & Matthew Boitano & Tyson A. Clark & Laurence Ettwiller, 2018. "SMRT-Cappable-seq reveals complex operon variants in bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ouli Xie & Jacqueline M. Morris & Andrew J. Hayes & Rebecca J. Towers & Magnus G. Jespersen & John A. Lees & Nouri L. Ben Zakour & Olga Berking & Sarah L. Baines & Glen P. Carter & Gerry Tonkin-Hill &, 2024. "Inter-species gene flow drives ongoing evolution of Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Ana Vieira & Yu Wan & Yan Ryan & Ho Kwong Li & Rebecca L. Guy & Maria Papangeli & Kristin K. Huse & Lucy C. Reeves & Valerie W. C. Soo & Roger Daniel & Alessandra Harley & Karen Broughton & Chenchal D, 2024. "Rapid expansion and international spread of M1UK in the post-pandemic UK upsurge of Streptococcus pyogenes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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