Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
09:26
Identification of Antibacterial Immunity Proteins in Escherichia coli using MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS and Top-Down Proteomic Analysis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Molecular analysis of staphylococcal superantigens
Patrick M Schlievert1, Laura C Case
1Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|November 21, 2007
Summary
Staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) cause serious human diseases. This study presents polymerase chain reaction and Western immunoblot methods for detecting these toxins and their genes in Staphylococcus aureus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) are exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus implicated in various diseases like toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and atopic dermatitis.
- SAgs are increasingly recognized for their potential roles in autoimmune disorders and other conditions.
- Accurate detection assays are crucial for understanding the full spectrum of SAg-mediated human diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide reliable methods for detecting staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) and their genes in Staphylococcus aureus.
- To facilitate the identification and characterization of SAgs involved in human diseases.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is described for analyzing the genes of well-characterized SAgs in S. aureus strains.
- A Western immunoblot procedure is presented for the in vitro quantification of specific SAgs, utilizing available antibody reagents.
Main Results:
- The study details a PCR-based method for the straightforward analysis of S. aureus strains for well-characterized SAg genes.
- A Western immunoblot protocol is provided for quantifying SAgs, with antibody availability noted for specific toxins (TSS toxin-1, SEs A-E, SE-like G, H, Q).
Conclusions:
- The developed methods enable the detection and quantification of staphylococcal superantigens and their genes.
- These assays are essential for clarifying the role of SAgs in diverse human pathologies and advancing research in staphylococcal infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
01:29Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
01:13Special Staining Techniques
Specialized staining techniques play a vital role in microbiology by enabling the visualization of specific bacterial structures that remain undetectable with standard microscopy methods. These techniques not only enhance the structural visualization of bacterial cells but also provide critical insights into their pathogenicity and classification. Additionally, they support diagnostic and research endeavors in microbiology by identifying key bacterial features.Capsule Staining for Virulence...
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
01:25Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...