Adhesive Virulence Factors of Staphylococcus aureus Resist Digestion by Coagulation Proteases Thrombin and Plasmin.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an invasive and life-threatening pathogen that has undergone extensive coevolution with its mammalian hosts. Its molecular adaptations include elaborate mechanisms for immune escape and hijacking of the coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways. These capabilities are enacted by virulence factors including microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) and the plasminogen-activating enzyme staphylokinase (SAK). Despite the ability of S. aureus to modulate coagulation, until now the sensitivity of S. aureus virulence factors to digestion by proteases of the coagulation system was unknown. Here, we used protein engineering, biophysical assays, and mass spectrometry to study the susceptibility of S.

SUBMITTER: Risser F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9782320 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature