The bacterial superantigen and superantigen-like proteins

Immunol Rev. 2008 Oct:225:226-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-065X.2008.00681.x.

Abstract

The bacterial superantigens are protein toxins that bind to major histocompatibility complex class II and T-cell receptor to stimulate large numbers of T cells. The majority are produced by the Gram-positive organisms Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes and are the causative agents in toxic shock syndrome, an acute disease caused by the sudden and massive release of T-cell cytokines into the blood stream. The structure and function of the superantigens has revealed a common architecture that is also shared by another group of staphylococcal virulence factors called the superantigen-like proteins (SSL). Together, this family of structurally related molecules highlights how a common pathogenic organism has employed a simple but adaptable protein to generate an armamentarium of potent defense molecules designed to target of the innate and adaptive immune response.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Enterotoxins / immunology
  • Enterotoxins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / chemistry
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Shock, Septic / etiology
  • Shock, Septic / immunology*
  • Shock, Septic / metabolism
  • Staphylococcal Infections / immunology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / therapy
  • Staphylococcus aureus / immunology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
  • Streptococcal Infections / immunology
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / immunology*
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / metabolism
  • Superantigens / chemistry
  • Superantigens / genetics
  • Superantigens / immunology*
  • Superantigens / toxicity
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Enterotoxins
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Superantigens