IdeS, a novel streptococcal cysteine proteinase with unique specificity for immunoglobulin G.
Recent work from several laboratories has demonstrated that proteolytic mechanisms significantly contribute to the molecular interplay between Streptococcus pyogenes, an important human pathogen, and its host. Here we describe the identification, purification and characterization of a novel extracellular cysteine proteinase produced by S.pyogenes. This enzyme, designated IdeS for Immunoglobulin G-