Pneumolysin

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title: "Pneumolysin" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bacterial-toxins"] topic_path: "general/bacterial-toxins" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumolysin" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Pneumolysin-protein-3d-structure-RCSB.jpg" caption="3D structure of pneumolysin"] ::

Pneumolysin is a virulence factor of the Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.

It is a pore-forming toxin of 53 kDa composed of 471 amino acids. It has a range of biological activity, including the ability to lyse and interfere with the function of cells and soluble molecules of the immune system.

Released pneumolysin will aid the bacteria during colonization by facilitating adherence to the host, during invasion by damaging host cells and during infection by interfering with the host immune response.

The presence of pneumolysin in sputum, urine, CSF and blood can be indicative of an S. pneumoniae infection.

References

References

  1. (Nov 27, 1998). "The molecular mechanism of pneumolysin, a virulence factor from ''Streptococcus pneumoniae''". Journal of Molecular Biology.
  2. (September 2008). "Pneumolysin: A double-edged sword during the host-pathogen interaction". Current Molecular Medicine.
  3. (February 16, 2001). "Essential role of domain 4 of pneumolysin from ''Streptococcus pneumoniae'' in cytolytic activity as determined by truncated proteins". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.
  4. (November 2004). "The role of pneumolysin in pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis.". Clinical and Experimental Immunology.
  5. (December 1998). "Pneumolysin in pneumococcal adherence and colonization". Microbial Pathogenesis.
  6. (January 1998). "Pneumolysin: A multifunctional pneumococcal virulence factor". [[The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine]].
  7. (June 2002). "The role of pneumolysin in the pathogenesis of ''Streptococcus pneumoniae'' infection". Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases.
  8. (September 1999). "Detection of pneumolysin in sputum". Journal of Medical Microbiology.
  9. (Oct–Dec 2002). "Pneumolysin in urine: A rapid antigen detection method to diagnose pneumococcal pneumonia in children". Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology.
  10. (August 2006). "Diagnosis of ''Streptococcus pneumoniae'' meningitis by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the gene for pneumolysin". Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
  11. (December 2006). "Pneumolysin polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia and empyema in children". [[European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases]].

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bacterial-toxins