User:Hannes Röst/SpeB

SpeB (streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B) is a virulence factor that can be produced by the gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. SpeB is a secreted cysteine protease and can degrade host proteins such as human extracellular matrix, immunoglobulins, complement components. In addition, it is able to cleave certain streptococcal proteins, making it one of the key virulence factors of S. pyogenes. The speB gene encodes a 40 kDa protein (also referred to as SpeBz) which needs to be cleaved to yield the active 28 kDa mature enzyme (also referred to as SpeBm).

Other names for SpeB include streptococcal cysteine protease, SCP, streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B, SPE B, zymogen and streptopain and all designate the same protein.

Literature

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