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Phenol-soluble modulins--critical determinants of staphylococcal virulence

Gordon Y C Cheung1, Hwang-Soo Joo, Som S Chatterjee

  • 1Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.

FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|December 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptides are crucial for staphylococcal infections, aiding in virulence and biofilm formation. Targeting these peptides offers a promising strategy for developing new anti-staphylococcal drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are amphipathic, alpha-helical peptides produced by staphylococci.
  • PSMs play significant roles in staphylococcal pathogenesis, including cytolysis and biofilm development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biochemistry, genetics, and roles of PSMs in staphylococcal commensal and pathogenic lifestyles.
  • To discuss how PSM diversification influences staphylococcal species aggressiveness.
  • To evaluate PSMs as potential drug targets for treating staphylococcal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on PSMs.
  • Analysis of biochemical and genetic data related to PSMs.
  • Evaluation of PSM functions in various staphylococcal lifestyles.

Main Results:

  • PSMs contribute to the pathogenic success of virulent staphylococci like Staphylococcus aureus.
  • PSMs can lyse human cells (leukocytes, erythrocytes) and stimulate inflammatory responses.
  • Diversification of PSMs correlates with the aggressiveness of different staphylococcal species.

Conclusions:

  • PSMs have evolved from facilitating commensal growth to driving aggressive pathogenesis in virulent strains.
  • Targeting PSMs presents a viable therapeutic strategy against staphylococcal infections.
Keywords:
Staphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus epidermidisbiofilmphenol-soluble modulintoxinvirulence

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