The Suf Iron-Sulfur Cluster Biosynthetic System Is Essential in Staphylococcus aureus, and Decreased Suf Function Results in Global Metabolic Defects and Reduced Survival in Human Neutrophils

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus remains a causative agent for morbidity and mortality worldwide. This is in part a result of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need to uncover novel antibiotic targets and to discover new therapeutic agents. In the present study, we explored the possibility that iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster synthesis is a viable antimicrobial target. RNA interference studies established that Suf (sulfur mobilization)-dependent Fe-S cluster synthesis is essential in S. aureus. We found that sufCDSUB were cotranscribed and that suf transcription was positively influenced by sigma factor B. We characterized an S. aureus strain that contained a transposon inserted in the intergenic space between sufC and sufD (sufD*), resulting in decreased transcription of sufSUB. Consistent with the transcriptional data, the sufD* strain had multiple phenotypes associated with impaired Fe-S protein maturation. They included decreased activities of Fe-S cluster-dependent enzymes, decreased growth in media lacking metabolites that require Fe-S proteins for synthesis, and decreased flux through the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Decreased Fe-S cluster synthesis resulted in sensitivity to reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, as well as increased DNA damage and impaired DNA repair. The sufD* strain also exhibited perturbed intracellular nonchelated Fe pools. Importantly, the sufD* strain did not exhibit altered exoprotein production or altered biofilm formation, but it was attenuated for survival upon challenge by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The results presented are consistent with the hypothesis that Fe-S cluster synthesis is a viable target for antimicrobial development.KEYWORDS iron, sulfur, cluster, Staphylococcus aureus, Suf, neutrophil S taphylococcus aureus is a human commensal that causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. While it is responsible for low-morbidity maladies, such as folliculitis, it is also capable of causing fatal afflictions, such as endocarditis, bacteremia, and toxic shock syndrome (1, 2). Bacterial antibiotic resistance continues to increase and to be problematic. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant S. aureus result in increased mortality, increased stress on the health care system, and an increased financial burden (3, 4). Current FDA-approved antibacterials target a limited number of metabolic processes (5). Developing antibacterials that target alternate processes would expand treatment options and aid in multidrug therapy. These facts highlight the need for

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