The activation of bovine plasminogen by PauA is not required for virulence of Streptococcus uberis.

A mutant of Streptococcus uberis carrying a single copy of ISS1 within pauA was unable to activate bovine plasminogen. Contrary to a hypothesis postulated previously, this mutation did not alter the ability of the bacterium to grow in milk or to infect the lactating bovine mammary gland.