NaHCO3 modulates the bla operon and β-lactam susceptibility in borderline oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (BORSA).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are resistant to nearly all β-lactam antibiotics under standard testing conditions. However, a novel phenotype exists wherein certain MRSA strains exhibit β-lactam susceptibility in the presence of bicarbonate (termed 'NaHCO3-responsive'), an abundant ion in mammalian tissues and blood. This suggests that specific MRSA infections may be treatable by β-lactams. NaHCO3 responsiveness appears due to effects of NaHCO3 on the expression mecA/PBP2a and other accessory genes required for PBP functionality. mecA expression can be co-regulated by the bla operon regulatory genes, blaI and blaR1.

Objectives

To elucidate the influence of NaHCO3 specifically on the bla operon via investigations of the impact of NaHCO3 on β-lac

SUBMITTER: Ersoy SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11879215 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature