Target intelligence / Profile preview

Streptococcal C5a peptidase (SCP; ScpA (Streptococcus pyogenes), ScpB (Streptococcus agalactiae))

Target: SCP; ScpA (Streptococcus pyogenes), ScpB (Streptococcus agalactiae)
Molecular classification: Enzyme, Serine protease (subtilisin-like), Bacterial surface adhesin/invasin (contains RGD motifs; fibronectin type III domains), Other: Cell-envelope protease/virulence factor

Overview

Streptococcal C5a peptidase is a conserved, cell-surface serine endopeptidase of group A and group B streptococci that specifically cleaves human complement fragment C5a at a His-Lys site, thereby eliminating a key chemotactic signal and enabling immune evasion; structurally, it is a subtilisin-like protease with an inserted protease-associated domain and three C-terminal fibronectin type III domains containing RGD motifs that contribute to adhesin/invasin functions, and it is under investigation as a vaccine antigen and as an engineered enzyme to modulate excessive C5a-driven inflammation

Other names: C5a-aseC5a peptidaseScpA (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes)ScpB (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae)streptococcal cell wall C5a peptidasecomplement C5a-specific endopeptidase

Mechanism of action

For therapeutics targeting this molecule: vaccine antigens eliciting anti-SCP antibodies to enhance opsonophagocytic killing and provide serotype-independent protection. For enzyme-as-therapy concepts: engineered ScpA proposed to reduce excessive C5a-driven inflammation by specific proteolysis of C5a.

Biological functions

Cleaves human complement fragment C5a at the His-Lys bond, inactivating its chemotactic activityContributes to immune evasion by neutralizing neutrophil-recruiting signals (C5a; also reported activity against C3a/C3 for ScpA)Acts as an adhesin to fibronectin and potentially engages integrins via RGD motifs; may function as an invasin

Disease associations

Infection (key virulence factor in group A and group B streptococcal disease through inhibition of neutrophil recruitment)Inflammation modulation (by degrading C5a chemotactic signal)

Safety considerations

As a vaccine target: need to avoid off-target protease activity and ensure safe exposure to a bacterial protease antigen; variability between ScpA/ScpB specificities has been reported and requires considerationAs a therapeutic enzyme: stability, propeptide processing, and maintaining high specificity to C5a to avoid unwanted complement inhibition (e.g., C3/C3a) and increased infection risk

Biomarkers

Potential: C5a levels and neutrophil chemotaxis as pharmacodynamic markers when modulating SCP activity or administering engineered ScpA (inferred from C5a-specific cleavage and neutrophil recruitment biology)

Beyond the preview

Go deeper on Streptococcal C5a peptidase (SCP; ScpA (Streptococcus pyogenes), ScpB (Streptococcus agalactiae)).

Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.

Drug pipeline

Explore the programs pursuing this target and their development progress.

Drug candidates
Developers
Development stage

Clinical trials

Follow the clinical studies evaluating therapies directed at this target.

Trial design
Status
Readouts

Competitive landscape

Compare approaches across drug candidates, modalities, and indications.

Programs
Modalities
Indications

Literature & evidence

Investigate the research and source evidence behind target biology and development.

Publications
Sources
Analysis

Patents

Explore patent activity around therapies and technologies addressing this target.

Patents
Assignees
Technologies

Research & analysis

Connect target biology, drug development, and emerging evidence in your research.

Biology
Development news
Analysis

Bring the full picture into focus.

See how Gosset can support your research on Streptococcal C5a peptidase (SCP; ScpA (Streptococcus pyogenes), ScpB (Streptococcus agalactiae)).

Explore the full profile