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Genetic regulation of the intercellular adhesion locus in staphylococci

David Cue1, Mei G Lei, Chia Y Lee

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR, USA.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|October 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis form biofilms using polysaccharides like poly N-acetyl glucosamine (PIA/PNAG). This summary explores how regulatory factors influence PIA/PNAG production in staphylococcal biofilms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Staphylococcal biofilms are crucial in infections like endocarditis and device-related infections.
  • Biofilms comprise polysaccharides (e.g., poly N-acetyl glucosamine - PIA/PNAG), proteins, and extracellular DNA.
  • PIA/PNAG synthesis is governed by the icaADBC genes, with icaR acting as a negative regulator.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize regulatory factors influencing poly N-acetyl glucosamine (PIA/PNAG) production in staphylococci.
  • To explore the complex regulation of the icaADBC operon.
  • To highlight the role of both global and specific regulators in biofilm formation.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing literature on staphylococcal biofilm regulation.
  • Analysis of gene expression data related to icaADBC and its regulators.
  • Identification of environmental factors that induce PIA/PNAG production.

Main Results:

  • PIA/PNAG production is tightly regulated by multiple factors.
  • Global transcriptional regulators (e.g., SarA, sigmaB) and specific regulators (e.g., IcaR) impact icaADBC expression.
  • In vitro conditions like high salt, glucose, or ethanol can induce PIA/PNAG synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the regulation of PIA/PNAG is key to combating staphylococcal biofilm infections.
  • Targeting regulatory pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies.
  • Biofilm composition and regulation vary significantly across strains and infection sites.
Keywords:
PIAPNAGStaphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus epidermidisbiofilmicaintercellular adhesion locus

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