Extracellular proteases are key mediators of Staphylococcus aureus virulence via the global modulation of virulence-determinant stability.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is a highly virulent and successful pathogen that causes a diverse array of diseases. Recently, an increase of severe infections in healthy subjects has been observed, caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA). The reason for enhanced CA-MRSA virulence is unclear; however, work suggests that it results from hypersecretion of agr-regulated toxins, including secreted proteases. In this study, we explore the contribution of exo-proteases to CA-MRSA pathogenesis using a mutant lacking all 10 enzymes. We show that they are required for growth in peptide-rich environments, serum, in the presence of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and in human blood. We also reveal that extracellular proteases are important for resisting phagocytosis by human le

SUBMITTER: Kolar SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3584211 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature