Staphylococcus aureus fur regulates the expression of virulence factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of pneumonia.

ABSTRACT: The tremendous success of Staphylococcus aureus as a pathogen is due to the controlled expression of a diverse array of virulence factors. The effects of host environments on the expression of virulence factors and the mechanisms by which S. aureus adapts to colonize distinct host tissues are largely unknown. Vertebrates have evolved to sequester nutrient iron from invading bacteria, and iron availability is a signal that alerts pathogenic microorganisms when they enter the hostile host environment. Consistent with this, we report here that S. aureus senses alterations in the iron status via the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) and alters the abundance of a large number of virulence factors. These Fur-mediated changes protect S. aureus against killing by neutrophils, and Fur is required for f

SUBMITTER: Torres VJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2849423 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature