Streptococcal surface enolase (SEN) is a major plasminogen-binding protein of group A streptococci. Our earlier biochemical studies have suggested that the region responsible for this property is likely located at the C-terminal end of the SEN molecule. In the present study, the gene encoding SEN was cloned from group A streptococci M6 isolate D471. A series of mutations in the sen gene corresponding to the C-terminal region ( 428 KSFYNLKK 435 ) of the SEN molecule were created by either deleting one or more terminal lysine residues or replacing them with leucine. All purified recombinant SEN proteins with altered C-terminal ends were found to be enzymatically active and were analyzed for their Glu-and Lys-plasminogen-binding activities. Wild-type SEN bound to Lys-plasminogen with almost three times more affinity than to Glu-plasminogen. However, the recombinant mutant SEN proteins with a deletion of Lys434-435 or with K435L and K434-435L replacements showed a significant decrease in Glu-and Lys-plasminogen-binding activities. Accordingly, a streptococcal mutant expressing SEN-K434-435L showed a significant decrease in Glu-and Lys-plasminogen-binding activities. Biochemical and functional analyses of the isogenic mutant strain revealed a significant decrease in its abilities to cleave a chromogenic tripeptide substrate, acquire plasminogen from human plasma, and penetrate the extracellular matrix. Together, these data indicate that the last two C-terminal lysine residues of surfaceexposed SEN contribute significantly to the plasminogen-binding activity of intact group A streptococci and hence to their ability to exploit host properties to their own advantage in tissue invasion.

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