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A Tandem Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry-based Approach for Metabolite Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus

A Tandem Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry-based Approach for Metabolite Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 28, 2017

Sialic acid catabolism in Staphylococcus aureus.

Michael E Olson¹, Jessica M King, Timothy L Yahr

¹Department of Microbiology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Journal of Bacteriology

|February 12, 2013

Summary

Staphylococcus aureus utilizes sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) as a nutrient source. A newly identified gene cluster, nan, is essential for this S. aureus growth and potential host survival.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Bacterial Pathogenesis
Molecular Biology

Background:

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of infections.
Colonization mechanisms are not fully understood.
Sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) is abundant on mucosal surfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate S. aureus utilization of sialic acid.
Identify genes involved in sialic acid metabolism.
Characterize the regulation of sialic acid utilization.

Main Methods:

Gene deletion studies
Transcriptional fusions
Northern blot analysis
Electrophoretic mobility shift assays

Main Results:

Identified and characterized the "nan" gene cluster required for sialic acid utilization.
Demonstrated that nanT, nanA, and nanE are essential for growth on sialic acid.
Showed NanR represses nanAT and nanE expression, with relief by sialic acid or its metabolite.

Conclusions:

The "nan" gene cluster is crucial for S. aureus to use sialic acid as a carbon source.
This metabolic capability may contribute to S. aureus survival within the host environment.