Investigating an unknown protein (3UN6) in Staphylococcus aureus

Pathogenic bacteria wreak havoc on life all over the world and use virulent proteins which give them these destructive capabilities. Research groups all over the world investigate these proteins to understand how they operate, and what mechanisms they are incorporated in. This research project investigated an unidentified protein in Staphylococcus aureus (PDB: 3UN6). This bacterium is known to cause Staph infections and has the capability to become drug resistant. We hypothesize that 3UN6 is the substrate binding unit of an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that attaches to the cell within the periplasmic space and is helping transport nitrate into the cell