Proteomics in studies of Staphylococcus aureus virulence

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a widespread, opportunistic pathogen that causes community and hospital acquired infections. Its high pathogenicity is driven by multifactorial and complex mechanisms determined by the ability of the bacterium to express a wide variety of virulence factors. The proteome secreted into extracellular milieu is a rich reservoir of such factors which include mainly nonenzymatic toxins and enzymes. Simultaneously, membrane proteins, membrane-cell wall interface proteins and cell wall-associated proteins also strongly influence staphylococcal virulence. Proteomics shows a great potential in exploring the role of the extracellular proteome in cell physiology, including the pathogenic potential of particular strains of staphylococci. In turn, understanding the bacterial physiology including the interconnections of particular factors within the extracellular proteomes is a key to the development of the ever needed, novel antibacterial strategies. Here, we briefly overview the latest applications of gel-based and gel-free proteomic techniques in the identification of the virulence factors within S. aureus secretome and surfacome. Such studies are of utmost importance in understanding the host-pathogen interactions, analysis of the role of staphylococcal regulatory systems and also the detection of posttranslational modifications emerging as important modifiers of the infection process.

Exoproteome Profiling Reveals the Involvement of the Foldase PrsA in the Cell Surface Properties and Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus

“…The pathogenesis of most diseases that are caused by S. aureus infection is usually multifactor and difficult to determine. S. aureus produces many virulence factors and secretes them to the cell surface and extracellular environments . Since these factors are used in different stages of infection, they are regulated in a strict and well‐coordinated manner…”

Antibiotics Susceptibility Patterns and Plasmid Profile of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Patients with Wound Infections Attending Four Hospitals in Akure, Ondo State

“…Several studies have documented Staphylococcus aureus as a leading pathogen associated with wound infections [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Its high pathogenicity is driven by multifactorial and complex mechanisms determined by the ability of the bacteria to express a wide variety of virulence factors with which it colonize and infect the host [11,12]. Colonization of wounds by Staphylococcus aureus and rapid proliferation within damaged tissues often lead to disseminated infections [13,14].…”

Spectral Library Based Analysis of Arginine Phosphorylations in Staphylococcus aureus

“…It overcomes not only the challenging stress and starvation conditions of the ever-changing environment of bacterial habitats, but also host defense mechanisms and antibiotic treatments (2,3). Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) 1 can express a high number of different virulence factor proteins that boost pathogenicity by complex mechanisms (4). Basic research of staphylococcal protein regulation is therefore required to decipher molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie pathogenesis and virulence.…”