Copper stress induces a global stress response in Staphylococcus aureus and represses sae and agr expression and biofilm formation.

ABSTRACT: Copper is an important cofactor for many enzymes; however, high levels of copper are toxic. Therefore, bacteria must ensure there is sufficient copper for use as a cofactor but, more importantly, must limit free intracellular levels to prevent toxicity. In this study, we have used DNA microarray to identify Staphylococcus aureus copper-responsive genes. Transcriptional profiling of S. aureus SH1000 grown in excess copper identified a number of genes which fall into four groups, suggesting that S. aureus has four main mechanisms for adapting to high levels of environmental copper, as follows: (i) induction of direct copper homeostasis mechanisms; (ii) increased oxidative stress resistance; (iii) expression of the misfolded protein response; and (iv) repression of a number of transporters an

SUBMITTER: Baker J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2798663 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature