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Identification of the amino acids essential for LytSR ‐mediated signal transduction in S taphylococcus aureus and their roles in biofilm‐specific gene expression
Summary Recent studies have demonstrated that expression of the S taphylococcus aureus lrgAB operon is specifically localized within tower structures during biofilm development. To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying this spatial control of lrgAB expression, we carried out a d...
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Published in: | Molecular microbiology 2015-02, Vol.95 (4), p.723-737 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Summary
Recent studies have demonstrated that expression of the
S
taphylococcus aureus
lrgAB
operon is specifically localized within tower structures during biofilm development. To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying this spatial control of
lrgAB
expression, we carried out a detailed analysis of the
LytSR
two‐component system. Specifically, a conserved aspartic acid (
Asp
53) of the
LytR
response regulator was shown to be the target of phosphorylation, which resulted in enhanced binding to the
lrgAB
promoter and activation of transcription. In addition, we identified
His
390 of the
LytS
histidine kinase as the site of autophosphorylation and
Asn
394 as a critical amino acid involved in phosphatase activity. Interestingly,
LytS
‐independent activation of
LytR
was observed during planktonic growth, with acetyl phosphate acting as a phosphodonor to
LytR
. In contrast, mutations disrupting the function of
LytS
prevented tower‐specific
lrgAB
expression, providing insight into the physiologic environment within these structures. In addition, overactivation of
LytR
led to increased
lrgAB
promoter activity during planktonic and biofilm growth and a change in biofilm morphology. Overall, the results of this study are the first to define the
LytSR
signal transduction pathway, as well as determine the metabolic context within biofilm tower structures that triggers these signaling events. |
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ISSN: | 0950-382X 1365-2958 |
DOI: | 10.1111/mmi.12902 |