<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> uses a GGDEF protein to recruit diacylglycerol kinase to the membrane for lipid recycling.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen responsible for numerous antibiotic-resistant infections. Identifying vulnerabilities in S. aureus is crucial for developing new antibiotics to treat these infections. With this in mind, we probed the function of GdpS, a conserved Staphylococcal membrane protein containing a cytoplasmic GGDEF domain. These domains are canonically involved in cyclic-di-GMP signaling processes, but S. aureus is not known to make cyclic-di-GMP. Using a transposon screen, we found that loss of GdpS is lethal when combined with disruption in synthesis of the glycolipid anchor of a cell surface polymer called lipoteichoic acid (LTA) or with deletion of genes important in cell division. Taking advantage of a small molecule that inhibits LTA gl

SUBMITTER: Mychack A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11962490 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature