The Intersection of the Staphylococcus aureus Rex and SrrAB Regulons: an Example of Metabolic Evolution That Maximizes Resistance to Immune Radicals.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is the most pathogenic member of the Staphylococcaceae. While it acquired an arsenal of canonical virulence determinants that mediate pathogenicity, it has also metabolically adapted to thrive at sites of inflammation. Notably, it has evolved to grow in the presence of nitric oxide (NO·). To this end, we note that the Rex regulon, composed of genes encoding dehydrogenases, metabolite transporters, and regulators, is much larger in S. aureus than other Staphylococcus species. Here, we demonstrate that this expanded Rex regulon is necessary and sufficient for NO· resistance. Preventing its expression results in NO· sensitivity, and the closely related species, Staphylococcus simiae, also possesses an expanded Rex regulon and exhibits NO· resistance. We hypothesiz

SUBMITTER: Dmitriev A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8593685 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature