mazEF Homologue Has a Minor Role in Staphylococcus epidermidis 1457 Virulence Potential.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm cells are characterized by increased antimicrobial tolerance and improved ability to evade host immune system defenses. These features are, in part, due to the presence of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells. A previous study identified genes potentially involved in VBNC cells formation in S. epidermidis biofilms, among which SERP1682/1681 raised special interest due to their putative role as a toxin-antitoxin system of the mazEF family. Herein, we constructed an S. epidermidis mutant lacking the mazEF genes homologues and determined their role in (i) VBNC state induction during biofilm formation, (ii) antimicrobial susceptibility, (iii) survival in human blood and plasma, and (iv) activation of immune cells. O

SUBMITTER: Gaio V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8792614 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature