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Updated: Nov 8, 2025
Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source
Published on: February 7, 2013
Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Displays Enhanced Resistance and Virulence in Iron-Restricted
Yingshan Dong1, Xinyu Miao1, Yun-Dan Zheng1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Abstract:
The unreasonable misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of large-scale drug-resistant bacteria, seriously threatening human health. Compared with drug-sensitive bacteria, resistant bacteria are difficult to clear by host immunity. To fully explore the adaptive mechanism of resistant bacteria to the iron-restricted environment, we performed data-independent acquisition-based quantitative proteomics on ciprofloxacin (CIP)-resistant (CIP-R) Staphylococcus aureus in the presence or absence of iron. On bioinformatics analysis, CIP-R bacteria showed stronger amino acid synthesis and energy storage ability. Notably, CIP-R bacteria increased virulence by upregulating the expression of many virulence-related proteins and enhancing the synthesis of virulence-related amino acids under iron-restricted stress. This study will help us to further explain the adaptive mechanisms that lead to bacterial resistance to antibiotics depending on the host environment and provide insights into the development of novel drugs for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Insights
Ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria adapt to low-iron conditions by boosting amino acid synthesis and virulence. This adaptation helps them survive host immunity, offering insights into new antibiotic drug development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Drug Resistance
Background:
- Antibiotic misuse drives the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, posing a significant threat to human health.
- Resistant bacteria are more challenging for host immunity to eliminate than susceptible strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adaptive mechanisms of ciprofloxacin-resistant (CIP-R) *Staphylococcus aureus* in iron-restricted environments.
- To understand how resistant bacteria adapt to host conditions for survival and proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Data-independent acquisition-based quantitative proteomics was employed.
- Proteomic analysis was conducted on CIP-R *Staphylococcus aureus* under varying iron conditions (presence and absence).
- Bioinformatics analysis was used to interpret proteomic data.
Main Results:
- CIP-R bacteria demonstrated enhanced amino acid synthesis and energy storage capabilities.
- Under iron-restricted conditions, CIP-R bacteria upregulated virulence-related proteins.
- Increased synthesis of virulence-associated amino acids was observed in CIP-R bacteria during iron stress.
Conclusions:
- CIP-R *Staphylococcus aureus* exhibits enhanced adaptive strategies, including improved nutrient synthesis and increased virulence, particularly under iron limitation.
- Understanding these adaptive mechanisms is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies against antibiotic-resistant infections.
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