The evolution of a superbug: how Staphylococcus aureus overcomes its unique susceptibility to polyamines.
Summary of "The evolution of a superbug: how Staphylococcus aureus overcomes its unique susceptibility to polyamines."
Polyamines are ubiquitous compounds thought to be synthesized by and required for all life. The manuscript published in this issue by Joshi and colleagues upsets this dogma by identifying several bacterial species that do not make polyamines, and in some cases do not require polyamines for growth. One such species is the significant human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, which is shown to be uniquely sensitive to polyamines. By unravelling the mechanisms of staphylococcal polyamine toxicity and tolerance, Joshi et al. provide insights into how the most virulent strains of S. aureus have evolved to be more fit during infection.
Affiliation
Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-2363, USA.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Molecular microbiology
ISSN: 1365-2958
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21883524
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07808.x
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Lysostaphin
A 25-kDa peptidase produced by Staphylococcus simulans which cleaves a glycine-glcyine bond unique to an inter-peptide cross-bridge of the STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS cell wall. EC 3.4.24.75.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
A strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is non-susceptible to the action of METHICILLIN. The mechanism of resistance usually involves modification of normal or the presence of acquired PENICILLIN BINDING PROTEINS.
Pneumonia, Staphylococcal
Pneumonia caused by infections with bacteria of the genus STAPHYLOCOCCUS, usually with STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS.
Staphylococcus Hominis
A species of STAPHYLOCOCCUS similar to STAPHYLOCOCCUS HAEMOLYTICUS, but containing different esterases. The subspecies Staphylococcus hominis novobiosepticus is highly virulent and novobiocin resistant.
Staphylococcus Aureus
Potentially pathogenic bacteria found in nasal membranes, skin, hair follicles, and perineum of warm-blooded animals. They may cause a wide range of infections and intoxications.
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