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Updated: May 6, 2026
A Tandem Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry-based Approach for Metabolite Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: March 28, 2017
Exploring extra-cellular proteins in methicillin susceptible and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus by
Shymaa Enany1, Yutaka Yoshida, Tadashi Yamamoto
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt, shymaa21@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains cause several diseases in humans from minor skin infections to severe lethal infections. To explore the virulence determinants of this important microorganism, two clinical isolates of methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were subjected to proteomic analysis of their extracellular products using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The numbers of proteins identified in MSSA and MRSA extracellular products were 168 and 261; respectively, from them 117 were shared, while 144 proteins were unique to MRSA. The shared proteins, having a higher protein score with increased number of peptide matches in MRSA over MSSA, reflect the relatively active secretory state of MRSA rather than biased analytical variances. Characteristic determinants for MRSA were identified; mostly found to play a role in the virulence. We conclude that MRSA produces distinct proteins considered as its virulence determinants and we found that the shared extracellular products are more abundant in MRSA than MSSA that supporting the high invasiveness of MRSA over MSSA in pathogenesis.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exhibits distinct virulence factors and a more active secretory state compared to methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). These findings highlight key differences in MRSA pathogenesis and invasiveness.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Proteomics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) causes a spectrum of human diseases.
- Understanding the virulence determinants of S. aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), is crucial for combating infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the extracellular proteomes of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA.
- To identify and characterize the virulence determinants unique to or more abundant in MRSA.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Comparative analysis of extracellular proteins from two clinical isolates (one MSSA, one MRSA).
Main Results:
- MRSA extracellular products contained significantly more identified proteins (261) than MSSA (168).
- 144 proteins were unique to MRSA, and shared proteins showed higher scores and peptide matches in MRSA, indicating an active secretory state.
- MRSA-specific proteins were identified, many associated with virulence.
Conclusions:
- MRSA produces distinct extracellular proteins that function as virulence determinants.
- The increased abundance of shared extracellular products in MRSA supports its higher invasiveness and pathogenesis compared to MSSA.
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