RpiR homologues may link Staphylococcus aureus RNAIII synthesis and pentose phosphate pathway regulation.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is a medically important pathogen that synthesizes a wide range of virulence determinants. The synthesis of many staphylococcal virulence determinants is regulated in part by stress-induced changes in the activity of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. One metabolic change associated with TCA cycle stress is an increased concentration of ribose, leading us to hypothesize that a pentose phosphate pathway (PPP)-responsive regulator mediates some of the TCA cycle-dependent regulatory effects. Using bioinformatics, we identified three potential ribose-responsive regulators that belong to the RpiR family of transcriptional regulators. To determine whether these RpiR homologues affect PPP activity and virulence determinant synthesis, the rpiR homologues were inactivated, an

SUBMITTER: Zhu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3209195 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature