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Published on: February 23, 2021
Structure and function predictions of the Msa protein in Staphylococcus aureus
Vijayaraj Nagarajan1, Mohamed O Elasri
1Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. vijayaraj.nagarajan@usm.edu
BMC Bioinformatics
|December 6, 2007
Summary
A newly discovered gene, modulator of sarA (msa), globally affects gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus. Computational analysis predicts Msa is a membrane protein involved in signal transduction, potentially mediating bacterial environmental interactions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Structural Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen causing severe infections via virulence factors.
- The staphylococcal accessory regulator (sarA) is a key global regulator in S. aureus.
- A novel gene, modulator of sarA (msa), has been identified, influencing sarA expression and global gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To predict the structure and function of the Msa protein.
- To understand the mechanism of Msa's global effect on gene expression.
- To investigate Msa's role in S. aureus pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Computational tools were employed for structure and function prediction.
- Analysis included physico-chemical properties, secondary structure, topology, 3D structure, binding sites, and cellular location.
- A consensus prediction was built from multiple algorithms.
Main Results:
- Msa is predicted to be a membrane protein with three transmembrane regions.
- Predicted phosphorylation and binding sites suggest a role in signal transduction.
- Msa lacks homologous partners, complicating functional prediction.
Conclusions:
- Msa is hypothesized to be a novel signal transducer in S. aureus.
- Msa may play a role in the bacterium's interaction with its environment.
- Further research is needed to elucidate Msa's precise function.
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