The Staphylococcus aureus response to unsaturated long chain free fatty acids: survival mechanisms and virulence implications.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is an important human commensal and opportunistic pathogen responsible for a wide range of infections. Long chain unsaturated free fatty acids represent a barrier to colonisation and infection by S. aureus and act as an antimicrobial component of the innate immune system where they are found on epithelial surfaces and in abscesses. Despite many contradictory reports, the precise anti-staphylococcal mode of action of free fatty acids remains undetermined. In this study, transcriptional (microarrays and qRT-PCR) and translational (proteomics) analyses were applied to ascertain the response of S. aureus to a range of free fatty acids. An increase in expression of the sigma(B) and CtsR stress response regulons was observed. This included increased expression of genes asso

SUBMITTER: Kenny JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2629846 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature