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Published on: February 19, 2019
Biosynthesis of a broad-spectrum nicotianamine-like metallophore in Staphylococcus aureus
Ghassan Ghssein1, Catherine Brutesco1, Laurent Ouerdane2
1Laboratoire de Bioénergétique Cellulaire, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnology Aix-Marseille (BIAM), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), 13108 Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, France. UMR 7265, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, France. Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
Metal acquisition is a vital microbial process in metal-scarce environments, such as inside a host. Using metabolomic exploration, targeted mutagenesis, and biochemical analysis, we discovered an operon in Staphylococcus aureus that encodes the different functions required for the biosynthesis and trafficking of a broad-spectrum metallophore related to plant nicotianamine (here called staphylopine). The biosynthesis of staphylopine reveals the association of three enzyme activities: a histidine racemase, an enzyme distantly related to nicotianamine synthase, and a staphylopine dehydrogenase belonging to the DUF2338 family. Staphylopine is involved in nickel, cobalt, zinc, copper, and iron acquisition, depending on the growth conditions. This biosynthetic pathway is conserved across other pathogens, thus underscoring the importance of this metal acquisition strategy in infection.
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