{rfName}
Id

Indexed in

License and use

Citations

Altmetrics

Analysis of institutional authors

Marin, ClaraAuthor

Share

September 29, 2025
Publications
>
Article
No

Identification of ShgH as a dual histidine/glutamine transporter component essential for Streptococcus suis virulence and biofilm modulation

Publicated to:Microbiological Research. 128354- - 2025-09-27 (), DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2025.128354

Authors: García, Carla; Saralegui, Luis; Morales, Beatriz; Jurado, Paula; Bes, MTeresa; Marín, Clara; Arenas, Jesús

Affiliations

Abstract

Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen that affects pigs and humans. In this study, we characterised ShgH, a predicted substrate-binding component of an ABC transporter. Immunoassays confirmed that ShgH is expressed, secreted and surface-exposed in S. suis, in agreement with its proposed transporter function. Isothermal titration calorimetry demonstrated that ShgH binds glutamine and histidine, with a higher affinity for histidine. Deletion of the shgH gene significantly impaired uptake of both radiolabelled amino acids confirming its role as part of a transporter. Functional analysis revealed that shgH deletion results in a marked reduction in virulence in a murine infection model, while host colonization remained unaffected. ShgH contributes to infection by facilitating evasion of phagocytosis and resistance to oxidative stress through impaired nutrient acquisition and reduced capsule production. In addition, ShgH regulates biofilm formation and architecture. Notably, ShgH is highly conserved among pathogenic streptococci, suggesting a broader functional relevance. Altogether, our findings identify ShgH as a dual glutamine/histidine- binding protein essential for nutrient uptake and virulence in S. suis, and a promising target for future therapeutic interventions.

Keywords

AminoácidosBiofilmes (microbiología)Streptococcus suisVirulenciaVirus patógenosZoonosis

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Microbiological Research due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 19/163, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Microbiology.