Gene for an immunoglobulin-binding protein from a group G streptococcus.

The gene (spg) for an immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding protein from a Streptococcus clinical isolate of Lancefield group G was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene and 5'-flanking sequences was determined. The DNA sequence includes an open reading frame which encodes a hypothetical protein of 448 amino acid residues (Mr = 47,595). The 5' end of this open reading frame encodes a sequence resembling a typical secretion signal sequence, and the remainder of the encoded protein has features reminiscent of staphylococcal protein A and of streptococcal M6 protein, including repeated sequences and a similar C-terminal structure. Aside from this C-terminal structure, the encoded protein has little direct amino acid sequence homology to either protein A or M6 protein. In E. coli, the cloned gene directs the synthesis of a protein which binds to immunoglobulins, including rabbit immunoglobulin, goat IgG, and human IgG3(lambda). Its binding properties are similar to those of the protein G described by Bj?rck and Kronvall (L. Bj?rck and G. Kronvall, J. Immunol. 133:969-974, 1984), a type III Fc receptor from a group G streptococcus.     

Isolation and characterization of a 14-kDa albumin-binding fragment of streptococcal protein G

Protein G, a streptococcal cell wall protein, has separate binding sites for human albumin and IgG. Streptococci expressing protein G were treated with the bacteriolytic agent mutanolysin. Several IgG- and human serum albumin (HSA)-binding peptides were identified in the material thus solubilized and one of these, a 14-kDa peptide, was found to bind HSA but not IgG in Western blot experiments. This molecule was purified by affinity chromatography on Sepharose coupled with HSA followed by gel filtration on Sepharose 6B and a final affinity chromatography on IgG-Sepharose, by which low Mr W(15 to 20 kDa)IgG-binding peptides were removed. In different binding experiments the purified 14-kDa peptide bound exclusively HSA and the equilibrium constant between the peptide and HSA was determined to be 3.4 X 10(8) M-1. The relation between the 14-kDa molecule and protein G was studied by analyzing the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the peptide and comparing it with the previously determined protein G sequence. The 40 N-terminal amino acids were found to be identical with an amino acid sequence starting at position 62 in the protein G molecule. These and previous data enabled us to locate the albumin binding to the repetitively arranged domains in the N-terminal half of the protein G molecule.     

The primary structure of coagulation factor IX/factor X-binding protein isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis. Homology with asialoglycoprotein receptors, proteoglycan core protein, tetranectin, and lymphocyte Fc epsilon receptor for immunoglobulin E

An anticoagulant protein, factor IX/factor X-binding protein (IX/X-bp), isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis, binds with factor IX and factor X in the presence of Ca2+ with a 1 to 1 stoichiometry (Atoda, H., and Morita, T. (1989) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 106, 808-813). Analysis of S-pyridylethylated IX/X-bp by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a 16.0-kDa band (designated the A chain) and a 15.5-kDa band (designated the B chain). These two chains were separated by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, and their complete amino acid sequences were determined by sequencing of the peptides obtained after digestion with lysyl endopeptidase, chymotrypsin, and V8 protease from Staphylococcus aureus and after chemical cleavage with cyanogen bromide. The A chain had an amino-terminal sequence of Asp-Cys-Leu-Ser-Gly- and consisted of 129 residues with Mr 14,830. The B chain has an amino-terminal sequence of Asp-Cys-Pro-Ser-Asp- and consists of 123 residues of Mr 14,440. There was 47% identity between the A and the B chain. The sequence of IX/X-bp showed 25-37% identity with that of the C-type carbohydrate recognition domain-like structure of acorn barnacle lectin, human and rat asialoglycoprotein receptors, the human lymphocyte Fc epsilon receptor for immunoglobulin E, proteoglycan core protein, pancreatic stone protein, and tetranectin. The sequences of the first 18 amino acid residues of both the A and B chains were also, to a certain extent, homologous to the partial amino acid sequence of the b subunit of factor XIII, a member of the beta 2-glycoprotein I-like family. In this region, some similarity with the amino-terminal amino acid sequence of botrocetin was also observed.     

Sequence analysis of the wall-associated protein precursor of Streptococcus mutans antigen A

The nucleotide sequence has been determined for the Streptococcus mutans wall-associated protein A (wapA) gene from serotype c strains Ingbritt and GS5. The nucleotide sequence for each wapA gene was virtually identical, although the gene from strain GS5 contained a 24 base pair deletion. A 29 amino acid signal peptide was specified by each wapA gene with a mature protein of 424 amino acids (Mr, 45,276) for strain Ingbritt and 416 amino acids (Mr, 44,846) for strain GS5. In the C-terminal region of the wall-associated protein A, considerable sequence similarity was found with the membrane anchor region of proteins from other Gram-positive organisms such as the group A streptococcal M protein and the group G streptococcal IgG binding protein. Adjacent to the proposed membrane anchor is a highly hydrophilic region which may span the cell wall; both sequence data and experimental evidence indicate the existence of a region immediately outside the wall at which proteolytic cleavage occurs to release antigen A of Mr 29,000 into the culture supernatant. Thus, the wall-associated protein A is a precursor of the 29,000 Mr antigen A.     

Brain micro glutamic acid-rich protein is the C-terminal endpiece of the neurofilament 68-kDa protein as determined by the primary sequence

The amino acid sequence of bovine brain micro glutamic acid-rich protein was determined by analysis of tryptic and Trimeresurus flavoviridis protease peptides of the molecule. The protein comprised 82 amino acid residues and has an Mr of 8992. The established sequence was highly homologous (90% identity) to the sequence of C-terminal 82 residues of the neurofilament 68-kDa protein from porcine spinal cord; there are differences of 8 residues which could be species-specific amino acid substitutions. This indicates that the micro glutamic acid-rich protein may arise by a restricted proteolysis of the neurofilament 68-kDa protein, with the break occuring toward the C-terminus.     

Receptor for IgA in group A streptococci: cloning of the gene and characterization of the protein expressed in Escherichia coli

The gene for an IgA-binding protein from a group A streptococcal strain was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The IgA-binding protein, called protein Arp, was purified on IgA-Sepharose, allowing complete purification in a single step. Analysis of protein Arp by Western immunoblotting demonstrated a major IgA-binding band, with an apparent molecular weight of 42 kD. The purified protein was shown to bind serum IgA and secretory IgA, as well as monoclonal IgA of both subclasses. There was no binding to IgM, IgD or IgE, but a weak binding to IgG. Inhibition experiments with whole bacteria indicated that IgA and IgG bind at separate sites. Experiments with immunoglobulin fragments showed that protein Arp binds to the Fc region of both IgA and IgG. The equilibrium constant of the reaction between protein Arp and polyclonal human IgA was determined to be 5.6 x 10(8) M-1. Amino acid sequencing of protein Arp demonstrated a direct repeat of 7 amino acids in the NH2-terminal region, a feature previously found in several streptococcal M proteins. This suggests that protein Arp, like M proteins, may be a streptococcal virulence factor.     

Identification and analysis of the amylase-binding protein B (AbpB) and gene (abpB) from Streptococcus gordonii

The binding of salivary amylase to Streptococcus gordonii has previously been shown to involve a 20-kDa amylase-binding protein (AbpA). S. gordonii also releases an 82-kDa protein into the supernatant that binds amylase. To study this 82-kDa component, proteins were precipitated from bacterial culture supernatants by the addition of acetone or purified amylase. Precipitated proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and transferred to a sequencing membrane. The P2 kDa band was then sequenced, yielding a 25 N-terminal amino acid sequence, CGFIFGRQLTADGSTMFGPTEDYP. Primers derived from this sequence were used in an inverse PCR strategy to clone the full-length gene from S. gordonii chromosomal DNA. An open reading frame of 1959 bp was noted that encoded a 652 amino acid protein having a predicted molecular mass of 80 kDa. The first 24 amino acid residues were consistent with a hydrophobic signal peptide, followed by a 25 amino acid N-terminal sequence that shared identity (24 of 25 residues) with the amino acid sequence of purified AbpB. The abpB gene from strains of S. gordonii was interrupted by allelic exchange with a 420-bp fragment of the abpB gene linked to an erythromycin cassette. The 82-kDa protein was not detected in supernatants from these mutants. These abpB mutants retained the ability to bind soluble amylase. Thus, AbpA, but not AbpB, appears sufficient to be the major receptor for amylase binding to the streptococcal surface. The role of AbpB in bacterial colonization remains to be elucidated.     

Placental alkaline phosphatase has a binding site for the human immunoglobulin-G Fc portion.

Affinity chromatography of human plasma on placental-alkaline-phosphatase-Sepharose columns (placental alkaline phosphatase, PLAP) yielded consistently a pure protein which was identified as IgG on the basis of electrophoretical and immunological comparisons with authentic human IgG. SDS/PAGE of the protein revealed, under reducing conditions, two polypeptides of 55 kDa and 25 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence (12 residues) of the 55-kDa subunit presented high similarity (83-100%) with known sequences of immunoglobulin gamma chains. The IgG binds by its Fc portion to a fully exposed domain in the plasma-membrane-anchored PLAP. Scatchard analysis of the interaction gave a dissociation constant of 3.68 microM, a value close to those found for haematopoietic cells and syncytiotrophoblast Fc receptors. The latter was affinity purified from human placenta as the major IgG-binding component and presented cross-immunoreactivity with anti-PLAP antibodies, indicating that PLAP and the putative placental Fc receptor could be identical molecules.     

Type 1 M protein of Streptococcus pyogenes. N-terminal sequence and peptic fragments

Limited proteolysis of the surface of type 1 Streptococcus pyogenes by pepsin gives rise to fragment Pep M1 of Mr 20270 as the main product which covers the N-terminal part of the M protein. The amino acid sequence was determined of the N-terminal region of the M protein representing the most exposed part of the molecule on the surface fibrils of streptococcal cells, which seems to be very important for the differentiation of the individual serological types. The sequence differs from the homologous N-terminal sequences of types 5, 6 and 24, and shows a homology with sequences repeating in the chain of type 24. Fragment Pep M1 binds to fibrinogen; the absence of its 30 N-terminal amino acid residues, however, abolishes this interaction which is believed to play a role in the virulence of S. pyogenes.     

M-like,immunoglobulin-binding protein ofStreptococcus pyogenes type M15

An M-like protein fromStreptococcus pyogenes type M15 strain EF1949 (EMML15) was cloned inEscherichia coli and sequenced. Recombinant EMML15 protein revealed a unique binding pattern for human IgG subclasses not described previously. Comparative analysis of the EMML15 amino acid sequence with those of other M-like proteins of opacity factor positive (OF⁺) serotypes and protein H, an IgG receptor from OF^– serotype M1, showed that IgG-binding proteins with common binding of IgG3 were closely related and distinct from streptococcal IgG receptors not binding IgG3. Thus, the Ig-binding proteins fromS. pyogenes were subdivided into two main categories according to binding pattern, protein structure, and gene location.     

Purification and characterization of a 52-kilodalton immunoglobulin G-binding protein from Streptococcus suis capsular type 2.

We previously reported that group D streptococci exhibited immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding activity and that a 52-kDa IgG-binding protein was present in all Streptococcus suis strains examined (B. Serhir, R. Higgins, B. Foiry, and M. Jacques, J. Gen. Microbiol. 139:2953-2958, 1993). The objective of the present study was to purify and characterize this protein. Pig IgG were immobilized through their Fab fragments to ECH-Sepharose 4B, and the protein was purified by affinity chromatography. Electron microscopy observations of the purified material showed filamentous structures with a diameter of approximately 4 nm; these structures were not observed when the material was treated with either urea or ethanolamine. Electrophoretic and Western immunoblot analyses showed that the 52-kDa protein constituted the bulk of the recovered material. This protein was stained with either Coomassie brilliant blue or silver nitrate; it reacted with a large variety of mammalian IgG, human IgG (Fc) fragments, human IgA, and other human plasma proteins. The 52-kDa protein exhibited lower IgG-binding affinities than protein A and protein G. However, it was able to compete with protein A and protein G for binding to human IgG. In addition, it bound chicken IgG with high affinity. This last property differentiated the 52-kDa protein of S. suis from the six IgG-binding proteins described to date. The 52-kDa protein displayed similar affinities for untreated and deglycosylated pig IgG. The N-terminal amino acid sequence (SIITDVYAXEVLDSXGNPTLEV) revealed no homology with any bacterial proteins in the Swiss-Prot database. Its isoelectric point of approximately 4.6 and its amino acid composition, rich in aspartic and glutamic acids, showed that it had some similarities with other IgG-binding proteins. In this report, we have purified and characterized a 52-kDa IgG-binding protein from S. suis capsular type 2. Although this protein shares some similarities with other IgG- and/or IgA-binding proteins, it is unique in reacting with chicken IgG.     

Protein H--a bacterial surface protein with affinity for both immunoglobulin and fibronectin type III domains.

Several bacterial species express surface proteins with affinity for the constant region (Fc) of immunoglobulin (Ig) G. The biological consequences of the interaction with IgG are poorly understood but it has been demonstrated that genes encoding different IgG Fc-binding proteins have undergone convergent evolution, suggesting that these surface molecules are connected with essential microbial functions. One of the molecules, protein H, is present in some strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, the most significant streptococcal species in clinical medicine. In contrast to other Ig-binding bacterial proteins tested, protein H was found to interact also with the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), a eukaryotic cell surface glycoprotein mediating homo- and heterophilic cell-cell interactions. The affinity for the interaction between protein H and N-CAM was 1.6 x 10(8)/M and the binding site on protein H was mapped to the NH2-terminal 80 amino acid residues. N-CAM and IgG are both members of the Ig superfamily and analogous to N-CAM, IgG binds to the NH2-terminal part of protein H. However, the binding sites for the two proteins were found to be separate, an unexpected result which was explained by the observation that the fibronectin type III (FNIII) domains and not the Ig-like domains of N-CAM are responsible for the interaction with protein H. Thus, the binding of N-CAM to protein H was blocked with fibronectin but not with IgG. Moreover, apart from fibronectin itself and N-CAM, fragments of fibronectin and the matrix protein cytotactin/tenascin containing FNIII domains also showed affinity for protein H.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular cloning and expression of mouse brain sialidase.

Sialidase (EC 3.2.1.18) catalyzes the release of sialic acid from sialo-oligosaccharides, gangliosides, or sialo-glycoproteins. In this investigation, we cloned a novel cDNA for mouse brain sialidase and expressed the cDNA in COS-7 cells. This 1,699 bp cDNA codes for a 41.6 kDa protein consisting of 372 deduced amino acid residues. In COS-7 cells transiently transfected with the cDNA, a 250-fold increase was observed in specific activity toward 2'-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid. Similarity searches of the nonredundant GenBank peptide sequence database by the PSI-BLAST program identified rat, hamster, human, and bacterial sialidases homologous to this mouse brain sialidase. Amino acid sequence identities to rat and hamster sialidases (84% and 77%, respectively) suggest that this form of sialidase is conserved in rodents. Sequence identities to human and mouse lysosomal sialidases (30% and 28%, respectively) indicate that the mouse brain sialidase is distinct from the lysosomal enzyme. Mouse brain sialidase has two amino acid sequence motifs common to bacterial sialidases: the 'F/YRIP' motif and the 'Asp-box' motif. The 'F/YRIP' motif is present near the N terminus while two 'Asp-box' motifs are present downstream.     

Extensive sequence homology between IgA receptor and M proteins in Streptococcus pyogenes

Many strains of Streptococcus pyogenes are known to express a receptor for IgA. The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene for such a receptor, protein Arp4, has been determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of 386 residues includes a signal sequence of 41 amino acids and a putative membrane anchor region, both of which are homologous to similar regions in other streptococcal surface proteins. The processed form of the IgA receptor has a length of 345 amino acids and a calculated molecular weight of 39544. The N-terminal sequence of the processed form is different from that previously found for a similar IgA receptor isolated from a S. pyogenes strain of type M60. The sequence of protein Arp4 shows extensive homology to the C-terminal half of streptococcal M proteins, but not to the streptococcal IgG receptor protein G or staphlyococcal protein A. Apart from the membrane anchor, this homology includes a sequence of 119 amino acid residues containing three repeated units and a 54-residue sequence without repeats. The protein expressed in Escherichia coli is found in the periplasmic space, in which it constitutes the major protein. Protein Arp4 is the first example of a surface protein that has both immunoglobulin-binding capacity and structural features characteristic of M proteins.     

Streptococcal protein G. Gene structure and protein binding properties

Protein G was solubilized from 31 human group C and G streptococcal strains with the muralytic enzyme mutanolysin. As judged by the mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the binding patterns of the solubilized protein G molecules in Western blot experiments, the strains could be divided into three groups, represented by the group G streptococcal strains G148 and G43 and the group C streptococcal strain C40. The 65-kDa G148 protein G and the 58-kDa C40 protein G showed affinity for both immunoglobulin G (IgG) and human serum albumin (HSA), whereas the 40-kDa G43 protein G bound only IgG. Despite the different molecular patterns, the three protein G species had identical NH2-terminal amino acid sequences. Apart from the 65-kDa peptide, digestion of G148 streptococci with mutanolysin also produced a 52-kDa IgG- and HSA-binding peptide and a 14-kDa HSA-binding peptide. It was demonstrated that these peptides resulted from cleavage of 65-kDa protein G by proteolytic components in the mutanolysin preparation. The protein G genes of the C40 and G43 strains were cloned and sequenced, and their structure was compared to the previously published sequence of the G148 protein G gene. As compared to G148, both the C40 and G43 genes lacked a 210-base pair fragment in the IgG-binding region, accounting for the 10-fold lower affinity of these proteins for IgG. The G43 gene also lacked a 450-base pair fragment in the 5'-end of the gene, explaining why the G43 protein G did not bind HSA. The differences in protein G structure did not correlate with the clinical origin of the strains used in this study. The IgG-binding region of protein G was further mapped. Thus, a peptide corresponding to a single IgG-binding unit was obtained by the cloning and expression of a 303-base pair polymerase chain reaction-generated DNA fragment. The affinity of this 11.5-kDa peptide for human IgG was 8.0 x 10(7) M-1, as determined by Scatchard plots. Finally, a 55-amino acid-long synthetic peptide, corresponding to one of the three repeated domains in the COOH-terminal half of strain G148 protein G, effectively blocked binding of protein G to IgG.     

Purification, Characterization, and Genetic Analysis of Cu-Containing Dissimilatory Nitrite Reductase from a Denitrifying Halophilic Archaeon, Haloarcula marismortui

Cu-containing dissimilatory nitrite reductase (CuNiR) was purified from denitrifying cells of a halophilic archaeon, Haloarcula marismortui. The purified CuNiR appeared blue in the oxidized state, possessing absorption peaks at 600 and 465 nm in the visible region. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy suggested the presence of type 1 Cu (g(II) = 2.232; A(II) = 4.4 mT) and type 2 Cu centers (g(II) = 2.304; A(II) = 13.3 mT) in the enzyme. The enzyme contained two subunits, whose apparent molecular masses were 46 and 42 kDa, according to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis indicated that the two subunits were identical, except that the 46-kDa subunit was 16 amino acid residues longer than the 42-kDa subunit in the N-terminal region. A nirK gene encoding the CuNiR was cloned and sequenced, and the deduced amino acid sequence with a residual length of 361 amino acids was homologous (30 to 41%) with bacterial counterparts. Cu-liganding residues His-133, Cys-174, His-182, and Met-187 (for type 1 Cu) and His-138, His-173, and His-332 (for type 2 Cu) were conserved in the enzyme. As generally observed in the halobacterial enzymes, the enzymatic activity of the purified CuNiR was enhanced during increasing salt concentration and reached its maximum in the presence of 2 M NaCl with the value of 960 microM NO(2)(-) x min(-1) x mg(-1).     

A novel,anchorless streptococcal surface protein that binds to human immunoglobulins

We have characterized a novel surface protein from urea extract of whole cells of group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). A major protein band (35kD) was found to hybridize with human IgG by Western blotting. A search of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of this protein by using the GAS genome sequence database revealed an open reading frame that encoded a 38-kDa protein with a signal peptide sequence. We have named this protein streptococcal immunoglobulin-binding protein 35 (Sib35). It was found to be an anchorless protein with no LPXTG motif, distinct from the M protein superfamily exhibiting immunoglobulin-binding activity, and partially secreted in the culture supernatant. Recombinant Sib35 was also shown to bind human IgA and IgM. The sib35 gene was found in all GAS strains examined, but not in oral, group B, C, or G streptococcal strains. These results suggest that Sib35 is a unique immunoglobulin-binding protein in GAS.     

Isolation and sequence analysis of cDNA clones for the small subunit of rabbit calcium-dependent protease

We have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones for the small subunit (30-kDa subunit) of rabbit calcium-dependent protease (Ca2+-protease) using synthesized oligodeoxynucleotide probes based on the partial amino acid sequence of the protein. A nearly full-length cDNA clone containing the total amino acid coding sequence was obtained. From the deduced sequence, the following conclusions about possible functions of the protein are presented. The kDa subunit comprises 266 residues (Mr = 28,238). The N-terminal region (64 residues) is mainly composed of glycine (37 residues) and hydrophobic amino acids and may interact with the cell membrane or an organelle. The sequence of the C-terminal 168 residues is highly homologous to the corresponding C-terminal region of the large subunit (80-kDa subunit) which has been identified as the calcium-binding domain. This region of the 30-kDa subunit contains four E-F hand structures and presumably binds Ca2+, as in the case of the 80-kDa subunit. Thus, the 30-kDa subunit may play important roles in regulating enzyme activity and/or possibly in determining the location of the Ca2+-protease. The marked sequence homology of the C-terminal regions of the two subunits may indicate that the calcium-binding domains have evolved from the same ancestral gene.     

Evidence that Caenorhabditis elegans 32-kDa beta-galactoside-binding protein is homologous to vertebrate beta-galactoside-binding lectins. cDNA cloning and deduced amino acid sequence.

We have cloned a full-length cDNA for a beta-galactoside-binding protein with a relative molecular mass of 32 kDa (32-kDa GBP), recently purified from a nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (Hirabayashi, J., Satoh, M., Ohyama, Y., and Kasai, K. (1992) J. Biochem. 111, 553-555). The clone contained a single open reading frame encoding 279 amino acids, including the initiator methionine. Significant sequence homology to metal-independent beta-galactoside-binding lectins (25-30% identities), which had previously been found only in vertebrates, was observed. Moreover, the nematode 32-kDa GBP proved to have a unique polypeptide architecture; that is, it is composed of two tandemly repeated homologous domains, each consisting of about 140 amino acids. The internal homology was about 32%. Thus, this protein is constructed with a duplicated fundamental unit which is similar to the subunit of vertebrate 14-kDa lectins. In spite of the extreme phylogenic distance between nematodes and vertebrates (divergence greater than 6 x 10(8) years ago), both of the two repeated domains of the nematode 32-kDa GBP retained most of the amino acid residues conserved in vertebrate lectins. This means that members of the metal-independent animal lectin family are distributed much more widely than had been believed: from nematodes to vertebrates. The implication is that proteins belonging to this family have fundamental roles which are not restricted to vertebrates but are common to almost all animals.     

Conformational characteristics of the complete sequence of group A streptococcal M6 protein

M protein is considered a virulence determinant on the streptococcal cell wall by virtue of its ability to allow the organism to resist attack by human neutrophils. The complete DNA sequence of the M6 gene from streptococcal strain D471 has allowed, for the first time, the study of the structural characteristics of the amino acid sequence of an entire M protein molecule. Predictive secondary structural analysis revealed that the majority of this fibrillar molecule exhibits strong alpha-helical potential and that, except for the ends, nonpolar residues in the central region of the molecule exhibit the 7-residue periodicity typical for coiled-coil proteins. Differences in this heptad pattern of nonpolar residues allow this central rod region to be divided into three subdomains which correlate essentially with the repeat regions A, B, and C/D in the M6 protein sequence. Alignment of the N-terminal half of the M6 sequence with PepM5, the N-terminal half of the M5 protein, revealed that 42% of the amino acids were identical. The majority of the identities were "core" nonpolar residues of the heptad periodicity which are necessary for the maintenance of the coiled coil. Thus, conservation of structure in a sequence-variable region of these molecules may be biologically significant. Results suggest that serologically different M proteins may be built according to a basic scheme: an extended central coiled-coil rod domain (which may vary in size among strains) flanked by functional end domains.