Lipid lysination by MprF contributes to hemolytic pigment retention in group B Streptococcus

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. A major virulence factor is a pigmented beta-haemolytic/cyto-lysin (β-h/c) toxin with an ornithine rhamnolipid structure. We initially observed that absence of MprF enzyme altered pigmentation and haemolytic activity in GBS. Next, we showed that MprF-dependent lipid lysination contributes to the retention of the ornithine rhamnolipid within GBS membrane. Furthermore, cationic lipidation by MprF altered membrane properties contributing to resistance to the cyclic lipopeptide daptomycin and to acidic pH. This study highlights the importance of cationic lipids in cell envelope homeostasis and in modulating β-h/c activity.