scholarly journals Lysine and Threonine Biosynthesis from Aspartate Contributes to Staphylococcus aureus Growth in Calf Serum

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (20) ◽  
pp. 6150-6157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichi Oogai ◽  
Masaya Yamaguchi ◽  
Miki Kawada-Matsuo ◽  
Tomoko Sumitomo ◽  
Shigetada Kawabata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Bacterial Growth ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Mouse Serum ◽  
Lower Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase ◽  
Threonine Biosynthesis

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusis a human pathogen, andS. aureusbacteremia can cause serious problems in humans. To identify the genes required for bacterial growth in calf serum (CS), a library ofS. aureusmutants with randomly inserted transposons were analyzed for growth in CS, and the aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd)-inactivated mutant exhibited significantly reduced growth in CS compared with the wild type (WT). The mutant also exhibited significantly reduced growth in medium, mimicking the concentrations of amino acids and glucose in CS. Asd is an essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of lysine, methionine, and threonine from aspartate. We constructed inactivated mutants of the genes for lysine (lysA), methionine (metE), and threonine (thrC) biosynthesis and found that the inactivated mutants oflysAandthrCexhibited significantly lower growth in CS than the WT, but the growth of themetEmutant was similar to that of the WT. The reduced growth of theasdmutant was recovered by addition of 100 μg/ml lysine and threonine in CS. These results suggest thatS. aureusrequires lysine and threonine biosynthesis to grow in CS. On the other hand, theasd-,lysA-,metE-, andthrC-inactivated mutants exhibited significantly reduced growth in mouse serum compared with the WT. In mouse bacteremia experiments, theasd-,lysA-,metE-, andthrC-inactivated mutants exhibited attenuated virulence compared with WT infection. In conclusion, our results suggest that the biosynthesis ofde novoaspartate family amino acids, especially lysine and threonine, is important for staphylococcal bloodstream infection.IMPORTANCEStudying the growth of bacteria in blood is important for understanding its pathogenicity in the host.Staphylococcus aureussometimes causes bacteremia or sepsis. However, the factors responsible forS. aureusgrowth in the blood are not well understood. In this study, using a library of 2,914 transposon-insertional mutants in theS. aureusMW2 strain, we identified the factors responsible for bacterial growth in CS. We found that inactivation of the lysine and threonine biosynthesis genes led to deficient growth in CS. However, the inactivation of these genes did not affectS. aureusgrowth in general medium. Because the concentration of amino acids in CS is low compared to that in general bacterial medium, our results suggest that lysine and threonine biosynthesis is important for the growth ofS. aureusin CS. Our findings provide new insights forS. aureusadaptation in the host and for understanding the pathogenesis of bacteremia.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequence of the Community-Associated Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 88 Strain LVP-7, Isolated from an Ocular Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Savitha Nadig ◽  
Sneha Murthy ◽  
Muralidharan Vandanashree ◽  
Hosahalli S. Subramanya ◽  
Balasubramanian Gopal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Draft Genome Sequence ◽  
Ocular Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type V ◽  
Panton Valentine Leukocidin

ABSTRACT We report a de novo-assembled draft genome sequence of the Indian Staphylococcus aureus sequence type 88 (ST88) strain LVP-7, isolated from an ocular infection. The genome harbors a Panton-Valentine leukocidin phage, a type V staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element, the delta-hemolysin-converting Newman phage ΦNM3, and the pathogenicity island SaPI3, encoding the superantigen enterotoxin B.

scholarly journals Basal-Level Effects of (p)ppGpp in the Absence of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Li ◽  
Qian Zhao ◽  
Tian Luan ◽  
Yangbo Hu ◽  
Yueling Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Stringent Response ◽  
Actinobacillus Pleuropneumoniae ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acids ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phenotypic Differences ◽  
Branched Chain

ABSTRACT The (p)ppGpp-mediated stringent response (SR) is a highly conserved regulatory mechanism in bacterial pathogens, enabling adaptation to adverse environments, and is linked to pathogenesis. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae can cause damage to the lungs of pigs, its only known natural host. Pig lungs are known to have a low concentration of free branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) compared to the level in plasma. We had investigated the role for (p)ppGpp in viability and biofilm formation of A. pleuropneumoniae. Now, we sought to determine whether (p)ppGpp was a trigger signal for the SR in A. pleuropneumoniae in the absence of BCAAs. Combining transcriptome and phenotypic analyses of the wild type (WT) and an relA spoT double mutant [which does not produce (p)ppGpp], we found that (p)ppGpp could repress de novo purine biosynthesis and activate antioxidant pathways. There was a positive correlation between GTP and endogenous hydrogen peroxide content. Furthermore, the growth, viability, morphology, and virulence were altered by the inability to produce (p)ppGpp. Genes involved in the biosynthesis of BCAAs were constitutively upregulated, regardless of the existence of BCAAs, without accumulation of (p)ppGpp beyond a basal level. Collectively, our study shows that the absence of BCAAs was not a sufficient signal to trigger the SR in A. pleuropneumoniae. (p)ppGpp-mediated regulation in A. pleuropneumoniae is different from that described for the model organism Escherichia coli. Further work will establish whether the (p)ppGpp-dependent SR mechanism in A. pleuropneumoniae is conserved among other veterinary pathogens, especially those in the Pasteurellaceae family. IMPORTANCE (p)ppGpp is a key player in reprogramming transcriptomes to respond to nutritional challenges. Here, we present transcriptional and phenotypic differences of A. pleuropneumoniae grown in different chemically defined media in the absence of (p)ppGpp. We show that the deprivation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) does not elicit a change in the basal-level (p)ppGpp, but this level is sufficient to regulate the expression of BCAA biosynthesis. The mechanism found in A. pleuropneumoniae is different from that of the model organism Escherichia coli but similar to that found in some Gram-positive bacteria. This study not only broadens the research scope of (p)ppGpp but also further validates the complexity and multiplicity of (p)ppGpp regulation in microorganisms that occupy different biological niches.

scholarly journals d-Amino Acids Enhance the Activity of Antimicrobials against Biofilms of Clinical Wound Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 4353-4361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos J. Sanchez ◽  
Kevin S. Akers ◽  
Desiree R. Romano ◽  
Ronald L. Woodbury ◽  
Sharanda K. Hardy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Log Reduction ◽  
Viable Bacteria ◽  
Biofilm Bacteria

ABSTRACTWithin wounds, microorganisms predominantly exist as biofilms. Biofilms are associated with chronic infections and represent a tremendous clinical challenge. As antibiotics are often ineffective against biofilms, use of dispersal agents as adjunctive, topical therapies for the treatment of wound infections involving biofilms has gained interest. We evaluatedin vitrothe dispersive activity ofd-amino acids (d-AAs) on biofilms from clinical wound isolates ofStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa; moreover, we determined whether combinations ofd-AAs and antibiotics (clindamycin, cefazolin, oxacillin, rifampin, and vancomycin forS. aureusand amikacin, colistin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, and ceftazidime forP. aeruginosa) enhance activity against biofilms.d-Met,d-Phe, andd-Trp at concentrations of ≥5 mM effectively dispersed preformed biofilms ofS. aureusandP. aeruginosaclinical isolates, an effect that was enhanced when they were combined as an equimolar mixture (d-Met/d-Phe/d-Trp). When combined withd-AAs, the activity of rifampin was significantly enhanced against biofilms of clinical isolates ofS. aureus, as indicated by a reduction in the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) (from 32 to 8 μg/ml) and a >2-log reduction of viable biofilm bacteria compared to treatment with antibiotic alone. The addition ofd-AAs was also observed to enhance the activity of colistin and ciprofloxacin against biofilms ofP. aeruginosa, reducing the observed MBIC and the number of viable bacteria by >2 logs and 1 log at 64 and 32 μg/ml in contrast to antibiotics alone. These findings indicate that the biofilm dispersal activity ofd-AAs may represent an effective strategy, in combination with antimicrobials, to release bacteria from biofilms, subsequently enhancing antimicrobial activity.

scholarly journals Inactivation of thyA in Staphylococcus aureus Attenuates Virulence and Has a Strong Impact on Metabolism and Virulence Gene Expression

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Kriegeskorte ◽  
Desiree Block ◽  
Mike Drescher ◽  
Nadine Windmüller ◽  
Alexander Mellmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Thymidylate Synthase ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Small Colony Variants ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Small Colony ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusthymidine-dependent small-colony variants (TD-SCVs) are frequently isolated from patients with chronicS. aureusinfections after long-term treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). While it has been shown that TD-SCVs were associated with mutations in thymidylate synthase (TS;thyA), the impact of such mutations on protein function is lacking. In this study, we showed that mutations inthyAwere leading to inactivity of TS proteins, and TS inactivity led to tremendous impact onS. aureusphysiology and virulence. Whole DNA microarray analysis of the constructed ΔthyAmutant identified severe alterations compared to the wild type. Important virulence regulators (agr,arlRS,sarA) and major virulence determinants (hla,hlb,sspAB, andgeh) were downregulated, while genes important for colonization (fnbA,fnbB,spa,clfB,sdrC, andsdrD) were upregulated. The expression of genes involved in pyrimidine and purine metabolism and nucleotide interconversion changed significantly. NupC was identified as a major nucleoside transporter, which supported growth of the mutant during TMP-SMX exposure by uptake of extracellular thymidine. The ΔthyAmutant was strongly attenuated in virulence models, including aCaenorhabditis eleganskilling model and an acute pneumonia mouse model. This study identified inactivation of TS as the molecular basis of clinical TD-SCV and showed thatthyAactivity has a major role forS. aureusvirulence and physiology.IMPORTANCEThymidine-dependent small-colony variants (TD-SCVs) ofStaphylococcus aureuscarry mutations in the thymidylate synthase (TS) gene (thyA) responsible forde novosynthesis of thymidylate, which is essential for DNA synthesis. TD-SCVs have been isolated from patients treated for long periods with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and are associated with chronic and recurrent infections. In the era of community-associated methicillin-resistantS. aureus, the therapeutic use of TMP-SMX is increasing. Today, the emergence of TD-SCVs is still underestimated due to misidentification in the diagnostic laboratory. This study showed for the first time that mutational inactivation of TS is the molecular basis for the TD-SCV phenotype and that TS inactivation has a strong impact onS. aureusvirulence and physiology. Our study helps to understand the clinical nature of TD-SCVs, which emerge frequently once patients are treated with TMP-SMX.

scholarly journals Global Epidemiology and Evolutionary History of Staphylococcus aureus ST45

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. e02198-20
Author(s):  
N. Effelsberg ◽  
M. Stegger ◽  
L. Peitzmann ◽  
O. Altinok ◽  
G. W. Coombs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Epidemiology ◽  
History Of

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureus ST45 is a major global MRSA lineage with huge strain diversity and a high clinical impact. It is one of the most prevalent carrier lineages but also frequently causes severe invasive disease, such as bacteremia. Little is known about its evolutionary history. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing to analyze a large collection of 451 diverse ST45 isolates from 6 continents and 26 countries. De novo-assembled genomes were used to understand genomic plasticity and to perform coalescent analyses. The ST45 population contained two distinct sublineages, which correlated with the isolates’ geographical origins. One sublineage primarily consisted of European/North American isolates, while the second sublineage primarily consisted of African and Australian isolates. Bayesian analysis predicted ST45 originated in northwestern Europe about 500 years ago. Isolation time, host, and clinical symptoms did not correlate with phylogenetic groups. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest multiple acquisitions of the SCCmec element and key virulence factors throughout the evolution of the ST45 lineage.

scholarly journals De Novo Purine Biosynthesis Is Required for Intracellular Growth of Staphylococcus aureus and for the Hypervirulence Phenotype of a purR Mutant

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariya I. Goncheva ◽  
Ronald S. Flannagan ◽  
David E. Heinrichs
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Purine Biosynthesis ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Intracellular Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
De Novo Purine Biosynthesis

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a noted human and animal pathogen. Despite decades of research on this important bacterium, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the pathogenic mechanisms it uses to infect the mammalian host. This can be attributed to it possessing a plethora of virulence factors and complex virulence factor and metabolic regulation. PurR, the purine biosynthesis regulator, was recently also shown to regulate virulence factors in S. aureus, and mutations in purR result in derepression of fibronectin binding proteins (FnBPs) and extracellular toxins, required for a so-called hypervirulent phenotype. Here, we show that hypervirulent strains containing purR mutations can be attenuated with the addition of purine biosynthesis mutations, implicating the necessity for de novo purine biosynthesis in this phenotype and indicating that S. aureus in the mammalian host experiences purine limitation. Using cell culture, we showed that while purR mutants are not altered in epithelial cell binding, compared to that of wild-type (WT) S. aureus, purR mutants have enhanced invasion of these nonprofessional phagocytes, consistent with the requirement of FnBPs for invasion of these cells. This correlates with purR mutants having increased transcription of fnb genes, resulting in higher levels of surface-exposed FnBPs to promote invasion. These data provide important contributions to our understanding of how the pathogenesis of S. aureus is affected by sensing of purine levels during infection of the mammalian host.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus S681, a Tetracycline-Sensitive Livestock-Associated CC398 MRSA Strain

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (33) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc J. A. Stevens ◽  
Roger Stephan ◽  
Sophia Johler
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Draft Genome Sequence ◽  
M Gene ◽  
Coding Sequences ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT We present the draft genome sequence of an atypical tetracycline-susceptible livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain. It contains 2,817,340 bp and 2,858 coding sequences, including 6 rRNA operons, 56 tRNAs, and 4 noncoding RNA (ncRNA) genes. The strain harbors a tet(M) gene, but 15 point mutations in amino acids are present that likely impair the functionality of TetM.

scholarly journals Protease-Mediated Growth ofStaphylococcus aureuson Host Proteins Isopp3Dependent

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
McKenzie K. Lehman ◽  
Austin S. Nuxoll ◽  
Kelsey J. Yamada ◽  
Tammy Kielian ◽  
Steven D. Carson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Glutamate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Free Amino Acids ◽  
Free Amino ◽  
Nitrogen Sources ◽  
Host Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organ Systems

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureushas the ability to cause infections in multiple organ systems, suggesting an ability to rapidly adapt to changing carbon and nitrogen sources. Although there is little information about the nutrients available at specific sites of infection, a mature skin abscess has been characterized as glucose depleted, indicating that peptides and free amino acids are an important source of nutrients for the bacteria. Our studies have found that mutations in enzymes necessary for growth on amino acids, including pyruvate carboxykinase (ΔpckA) and glutamate dehydrogenase (ΔgudB), reduced the ability of the bacteria to proliferate within a skin abscess, suggesting that peptides and free amino acids are important forS. aureusgrowth. Furthermore, we found that collagen, an abundant host protein that is present throughout a skin abscess, serves as a reservoir of peptides. To liberate peptides from the collagen, we identified that the host protease, MMP-9, as well as the staphylococcal proteases aureolysin and staphopain B function to cleave collagen into peptide fragments that can supportS. aureusgrowth under nutrient-limited conditions. Moreover, the oligopeptide transporter Opp3 is the primary staphylococcal transporter responsible for peptide acquisition. Lastly, we observed that the presence of peptides (3-mer to 7-mer) induces the expression of aureolysin, suggesting thatS. aureushas the ability to detect peptides in the environment.IMPORTANCEStaphylococcus aureushas the ability to cause infections in a variety of niches, suggesting a robust metabolic capacity facilitating proliferation under various nutrient conditions. The mature skin abscess is glucose depleted, indicating that peptides and free amino acids are important sources of nutrients forS. aureus. Our studies have found that mutations in both pyruvate carboxykinase and glutamate dehydrogenase, enzymes that function in essential gluconeogenesis reactions when amino acids serve as the major carbon source, reduce bacterial burden in a murine skin abscess model. Moreover, peptides liberated from collagen by host protease MMP-9 as well as the staphylococcal protease aureolysin supportS. aureusgrowth in an Opp3-dependent manner under nutrient-limited conditions. Additionally, the presence of peptides induces aureolysin expression. Overall, these studies define one pathway by whichS. aureussenses a nutrient-limiting environment and induces factors that function to acquire and utilize carbon from host-derived sources.

scholarly journals Expression of Virulence Factors by Staphylococcus aureus Grown in Serum

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (22) ◽  
pp. 8097-8105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichi Oogai ◽  
Miki Matsuo ◽  
Masahito Hashimoto ◽  
Fuminori Kato ◽  
Motoyuki Sugai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Defined Medium ◽  
Chemically Defined Medium ◽  
Regulatory Factor ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusproduces many virulence factors, including toxins, immune-modulatory factors, and exoenzymes. Previous studies involving the analysis of virulence expression were mainly performed byin vitroexperiments using bacterial medium. However, whenS. aureusinfects a host, the bacterial growth conditions are quite different from those in a medium, which may be related to the different expression of virulence factors in the host. In this study, we investigated the expression of virulence factors inS. aureusgrown in calf serum. The expression of many virulence factors, including hemolysins, enterotoxins, proteases, and iron acquisition factors, was significantly increased compared with that in bacterial medium. In addition, the expression of RNA III, a global regulon for virulence expression, was significantly increased. This effect was partially restored by the addition of 300 μM FeCl3into serum, suggesting that iron depletion is associated with the increased expression of virulence factors in serum. In chemically defined medium without iron, a similar effect was observed. In a mutant withagrinactivated grown in serum, the expression of RNA III,psm, andsec4was not increased, while other factors were still induced in the mutant, suggesting that another regulatory factor(s) is involved. In addition, we found that serum albumin is a major factor for the capture of free iron to prevent the supply of iron to bacteria grown in serum. These results indicate thatS. aureusexpresses virulence factors in adaptation to the host environment.

scholarly journals A Mutation in the PP2C Phosphatase Gene in a Staphylococcus aureus USA300 Clinical Isolate with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin and Daptomycin

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 5212-5223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla D. Passalacqua ◽  
Sarah W. Satola ◽  
Emily K. Crispell ◽  
Timothy D. Read
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Metal Binding ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Insertion Mutation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metal Binding Domain ◽  
Multiple Routes

ABSTRACTMethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin (MIC of 4 to 8 μg/ml) are referred to as vancomycin-intermediateS. aureus(VISA). In this study, we characterized two isogenic USA300S. aureusisolates collected sequentially from a single patient with endocarditis where theS. aureusisolate changed from being susceptible to vancomycin (VSSA) (1 μg/ml) to VISA (8 μg/ml). In addition, the VISA isolate lost beta-lactamase activity and showed increased resistance to daptomycin and linezolid. The two strains did not differ in growth rate, but the VISA isolate had a thickened cell wall and was less autolytic. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis comparing the two isolates grown to late exponential phase showed significant differences in transcription of cell surface protein genes (spa, SBI [second immunoglobulin-binding protein ofS. aureus], and fibrinogen-binding proteins), regulatory genes (agrBCA, RNAIII,sarT, andsaeRS), and others. Using whole-genome shotgun resequencing, we identified 6 insertion/deletion mutations between the VSSA and VISA isolates. A protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) family phosphatase had a 6-bp (nonframeshift) insertion mutation in a highly conserved metal binding domain. Complementation of the clinical VISA isolate with a wild-type copy of the PP2C gene reduced the vancomycin and daptomycin MICs and increased autolytic activity, suggesting that this gene contributed to the reduced vancomycin susceptibility phenotype acquiredin vivo. Creation ofde novomutants from the VSSA strain resulted in different mutations, demonstrating that reduced susceptibility to vancomycin in USA300 strains can occur via multiple routes, highlighting the complex nature of the VISA phenotype.

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