The glutathione import system satisfies the Staphylococcus aureus nutrient sulfur requirement and promotes interspecies competition.

ABSTRACT: Sulfur is an indispensable element for bacterial proliferation. Prior studies demonstrated that the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus utilizes glutathione (GSH) as a source of nutrient sulfur; however, mechanisms of GSH acquisition are not defined. Here, we identify a five-gene locus comprising a putative ABC-transporter and predicted γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (ggt) that promotes S. aureus proliferation in medium supplemented with either reduced or oxidized GSH (GSSG) as the sole source of nutrient sulfur. Based on these phenotypes, we name this transporter operon the glutathione import system (gisABCD). Ggt is encoded within the gisBCD operon, and we show that the enzyme is capable of liberating glutamate using either GSH or GSSG as substrates, demonstrating it is a bona fide γ-glutamy

SUBMITTER: Lensmire JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10355420 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature