Staphylococcus aureus cell wall structure and dynamics during host-pathogen interaction.

ABSTRACT: Peptidoglycan is the major structural component of the Staphylococcus aureus cell wall, in which it maintains cellular integrity, is the interface with the host, and its synthesis is targeted by some of the most crucial antibiotics developed. Despite this importance, and the wealth of data from in vitro studies, we do not understand the structure and dynamics of peptidoglycan during infection. In this study we have developed methods to harvest bacteria from an active infection in order to purify cell walls for biochemical analysis ex vivo. Isolated ex vivo bacterial cells are smaller than those actively growing in vitro, with thickened cell walls and reduced peptidoglycan crosslinking, similar to that of stationary phase cells. These features suggested a role for specific peptidoglycan hom

SUBMITTER: Sutton JAF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8041196 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature