Prophage-encoded methyltransferase drives adaptation of community-acquired methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.

ABSTRACT: We recently described the evolution of a community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) USA300 variant responsible for an outbreak of skin and soft tissue infections. Acquisition of a mosaic version of the Φ11 prophage (mΦ11) that increases skin abscess size was an early step in CA-MRSA adaptation that primed the successful spread of the clone. The present report shows how prophage mΦ11 exerts its effect on virulence for skin infection without encoding a known toxin or fitness genes. Abscess size and skin inflammation were associated with DNA methylase activity of an mΦ11-encoded adenine methyltransferase (designated pamA). pamA increased expression of fibronectin-binding protein A (fnbA; FnBPA), and inactivation of fnbA eliminat

SUBMITTER: Ulrich RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11042277 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature