Modulation of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Matrix by Subinhibitory Concentrations of Clindamycin.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are extremely difficult to treat. They provide a protected niche for the bacteria, rendering them highly recalcitrant toward host defenses as well as antibiotic treatment. Bacteria within a biofilm are shielded from the immune system by the formation of an extracellular polymeric matrix, composed of polysaccharides, extracellular DNA (eDNA), and proteins. Many antibiotics do not readily penetrate biofilms, resulting in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. Here, we show that subinhibitory concentrations of clindamycin triggered a transcriptional stress response in S. aureus via the alternative sigma factor B (σ(B)) and upregulated the expression of the major biofilm-associated genes atlA, lrgA, agrA, the psm genes, fnbA, and fnbB Our da

SUBMITTER: Schilcher K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5038281 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature