Crucial Role for Lipoteichoic Acid Assembly in the Metabolic Versatility and Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is a public health threat due to the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the capacity of this organism to infect numerous organs in vertebrates. To generate energy needed to proliferate within tissues, S. aureus transitions between aerobic respiration and fermentation. Fermentation results in a distinct colony morphology called the small-colony variant (SCV) due to decreased membrane potential and ATP production. These traits promote increased resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Consequently, SCVs are associated with persistent infections. We hypothesize that dedicated physiological pathways support fermentative growth of S. aureus that represent potential targets for treatment of resistant infections. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is an essential component of the

SUBMITTER: Burtchett TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10353449 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature