Characterization of structural elements in native autoinducing peptides and non-native analogues that permit the differential modulation of AgrC-type quorum sensing receptors in Staphylococcus aureus.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus uses short macrocyclic peptides (i.e., autoinducing peptides, or AIPs) to assess its local population density in a cell-cell signaling mechanism called quorum sensing (QS). At high cell numbers, this pathogen can initiate many virulent behaviors that allow for the establishment of infection. Binding of the AIP signal to its cognate transmembrane AgrC-type receptor is a critical event in the QS signaling cascade; consequently, interference of AIP:receptor interactions may have the potential to prevent and eradicate certain S. aureus infections. To date, four pairs of AIP:AgrC receptors have been identified in S. aureus, each pair being utilized by a specific S. aureus group (I-IV). Other staphylococcal species also use closely related, but distinct, AIP:AgrC pairs to c

SUBMITTER: Tal-Gan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4681674 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature