Evolution of Multidrug Resistance during Staphylococcus aureus Infection Involves Mutation of the Essential Two Component Regulator WalKR

Two-component leukotoxins are important virulence factors for Staphylococcus aureus. Despite efforts made to study S. aureus leukotoxins, the direct mechanism of action of these toxins during infection has not been determined. However, the observation that deletion of LukED significantly attenuates highly virulent S. aureus strains supports the hypothesis that selective inhibition of LukE / D may be useful in the development of new aspects of S. aureus infection control. For this purpose, this work was carried out to test the expression and obtain a recombinant form of the LukE protein in E.coli cells. The LukE gene was cloned into the pET28-c (+) / GFP vector containing the gfp gene. Two fused genes carrying a hexahistidine tag were expressed in cells of the E. coli BL21(DE3) strain. It was found that the 6His-GFP-LucE protein aggregates in inclusion bodies. 6His-GFP-LucE was washed out of inclusion bodies with high molar urea. The 6His-GFP-LucE protein was purified by metal affinity chromatography. Research results can be applied to obtain recombinant protein including strategies for inhibition of toxin activity.

Download Full-text

The SaeR/S Two Component System: The Security System of Staphylococcus aureus

10.15788/curio1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 4-9

Author(s):

Owen Burroughs ◽

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Security System ◽

Human Immune System ◽

Two Component System ◽

Component System ◽

Aureus Infection ◽

System A ◽

Two Component ◽

Human Immune ◽

New Treatments

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common human pathogen that is responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The bacterium’s severity is caused, in part, by its ability to detect and evade the human immune system. In this article, Owen Burroughs, an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Dr. Jovanka Voyich, describes his research into the SaeR/S two-component system, a “security system” that allows S. aureus to avoid being killed by immune cells. Over the course of Owen’s research, the Voyich lab has determined that the proteins SaeP and SaeQ likely play a major role in the functioning of this security system. By helping us better understand the interactions between S. aureus and its host, this research could pave the way for new treatments and therapies for severe S. aureus infection.

Download Full-text

The SaeR/S Two Component System: The Security System of Staphylococcus aureus

10.15788/f2021.curio1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 4-9

Author(s):

Owen Burroughs ◽

◽

Jovanka Voyich ◽

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Security System ◽

Human Immune System ◽

Two Component System ◽

Component System ◽

Aureus Infection ◽

System A ◽

Two Component ◽

Human Immune ◽

New Treatments

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common human pathogen that is responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The bacterium’s severity is caused, in part, by its ability to detect and evade the human immune system. In this article, Owen Burroughs, an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Dr. Jovanka Voyich, describes his research into the SaeR/S two-component system, a “security system” that allows S. aureus to avoid being killed by immune cells. Over the course of Owen’s research, the Voyich lab has determined that the proteins SaeP and SaeQ likely play a major role in the functioning of this security system. By helping us better understand the interactions between S. aureus and its host, this research could pave the way for new treatments and therapies for severe S. aureus infection.

Download Full-text