Back to Search Start Over

Secreted Proteases Control Autolysin-mediated Biofilm Growth of Staphylococcus aureus*

Authors :
Kartik Manne
Kevin Macon
Sthanam V.L. Narayana
Chen Chen
Olaf Schneewind
Vengadesan Krishnan
Source :
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
Publication Year :
2013
Publisher :
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2013.

Abstract

Background: Esp, a secreted protease of Staphylococcus epidermidis, blocks biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus and its ability to colonize human nares. Results: Esp cleaves autolysin, thereby preventing the release of staphylococcal DNA as biofilm matrix. Conclusion: Secreted proteases control S. aureus biofilm development and host colonization. Significance: Methods that promote autolysin degradation may also prevent S. aureus colonization of humans.<br />Staphylococcus epidermidis, a commensal of humans, secretes Esp protease to prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and colonization. Blocking S. aureus colonization may reduce the incidence of invasive infectious diseases; however, the mechanism whereby Esp disrupts biofilms is unknown. We show here that Esp cleaves autolysin (Atl)-derived murein hydrolases and prevents staphylococcal release of DNA, which serves as extracellular matrix in biofilms. The three-dimensional structure of Esp was revealed by x-ray crystallography and shown to be highly similar to that of S. aureus V8 (SspA). Both atl and sspA are necessary for biofilm formation, and purified SspA cleaves Atl-derived murein hydrolases. Thus, S. aureus biofilms are formed via the controlled secretion and proteolysis of autolysin, and this developmental program appears to be perturbed by the Esp protease of S. epidermidis.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1083351X and 00219258
Volume :
288
Issue :
41
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....a772f6c872aabf4315a53e8a0b337874