Characterizing the <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> fatty acid degradation operon.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus can supplement its endogenous fatty acid synthesis pathway (FASII) with exogenous fatty acids it acquires from the environment through the fatty acid kinase (Fak) complex. Although S. aureus has been thought to not degrade fatty acids, it does possess a potential fadXDEBA locus that contains all the genes necessary for β-oxidation. Using mRNA analysis, we determined that the fadXDEBA operon can be found on one polycistronic mRNA. Moreover, we identified the fadX promoter and a putative binding site within this region that is consistent with negative regulation by the metabolism-responsive regulator, Carbon Catabolite Protein A (CcpA). Indeed, in the absence of glucose or CcpA, we saw the fadXDEBA operon was derepressed. S.

SUBMITTER: Menjivar C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12369327 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature