The serine-rich repeat glycoproteins of Gram-positive bacteria comprise a large family of cell
wall proteins. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) expresses either Srr1
or Srr2 on its surface, depending on the strain. Srr1 has recently been shown to bind
fibrinogen, and this interaction contributes to the pathogenesis of GBS meningitis. Although
strains expressing Srr2 appear to be hypervirulent, no ligand for this adhesin has been
described. We now demonstrate that Srr2 also binds human fibrinogen and that this …