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Surface Proteins of Staphylococcus epidermidis

Timothy J Foster1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common skin bacterium, can cause infections on medical devices. Its cell wall anchored proteins are key to biofilm formation, crucial for device-associated infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Medical Science

Background:

  • Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common skin bacterium and opportunistic pathogen.
  • It frequently causes infections associated with indwelling medical devices.
  • Antibiotic-resistant strains are a growing global concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of cell wall anchored (CWA) surface proteins in Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation.
  • To understand the specific contributions of proteins like Aap and Sbp to biofilm structure and adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Staphylococcus epidermidis cell wall anchored surface proteins.
  • Investigation of protein interactions and domains involved in adhesion and biofilm accumulation.
  • Characterization of amyloid structures in mature biofilms.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus epidermidis utilizes CWA proteins for adhesion to extracellular matrix components and biomaterials.
  • The accumulation associated protein (Aap) requires proteolytic cleavage for homophilic interactions and biofilm accumulation.
  • Amyloid structures formed by Aap and the small basic protein (Sbp) are essential for mature biofilm integrity.

Conclusions:

  • CWA proteins are critical virulence factors for Staphylococcus epidermidis, mediating adhesion and biofilm development.
  • Targeting these CWA proteins and their interactions could offer strategies to prevent or treat device-associated infections.
Keywords:
MSCRAMMamyloid structuresbacterial adhesionbiofilmextracellular matrixhomophilic protein-protein interactionphylogenetics

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