Subcellular localization of the Staphylococcus aureus heme iron transport components IsdA and IsdB.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen that represents a tremendous threat to global public health. An important aspect of S. aureus pathogenicity is the ability to acquire iron from its host during infection. In vertebrates, iron is sequestered predominantly within heme, the majority of which is bound by hemoglobin. To acquire iron, S. aureus binds hemoglobin, removes heme, and transports it into the cytoplasm, where heme is degraded. This process is carried out by the iron-regulated surface determinant system (Isd); however, the mechanism by which hemoglobin recognition occurs is not completely understood. Here we report that the surface receptor components of the Isd system, IsdA and IsdB, physically interact with each other and are anchored to a discrete location within the cell wal

SUBMITTER: Pishchany G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2708553 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature