Serum amyloid A exhibits pH dependent antibacterial action and contributes to host defense against Staphylococcus aureus cutaneous infection.

ABSTRACT: Serum amyloid A (SAA), one of the major highly conserved acute-phase proteins in most mammals, is predominantly produced by hepatocytes and also by a variety of cells in extrahepatic tissues. It is well-known that the expression of SAA is sharply increased in bacterial infections. However, the exact physiological function of SAA during bacterial infection remains unclear. Herein, we showed that SAA expression significantly increased in abscesses of Staphylococcus aureus cutaneous infected mice, which exert direct antibacterial effects by binding to the bacterial cell surface and disrupting the cell membrane in acidic conditions. Mechanically, SAA disrupts anionic liposomes by spontaneously forming small vesicles or micelles under acidic conditions. Especially, the N-terminal region

SUBMITTER: Zheng H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7049966 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature