🦠microbiology review
IgA protease
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
IgA protease is an enzyme produced by certain pathogenic bacteria. It cleaves IgA antibodies, aiding bacterial evasion of the host immune system.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- IgA protease specifically targets and cleaves immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies.
- Neisseria meningitidis, a common cause of bacterial meningitis, produces IgA protease.
- The production of IgA protease helps bacteria colonize mucosal surfaces by disrupting mucosal immunity.
- IgA protease activity allows bacteria to evade the host's immune response, facilitating infection in the nervous system.
- This enzyme is considered a virulence factor because it enhances bacterial survival and pathogenicity.