Investigating the role of phosphate homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus virulence

Due to its use in DNA, energy storage, intracellular signaling, and other important biological processes, phosphate is an essential nutrient for all organisms. Bacteria possess a variety of complex phosphate sensing and uptake systems to ensure that they meet their need for phosphate. The ubiquity and necessity of these systems make them a possible target for novel therapeutics to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Previous studies in S. aureus have shown that disruption of phosphate homeostasis by overexpression of the PstSCAB phosphate transporter or loss of function of the PhoPR phosphate sensing system reduces virulence. However, how phosphate homeostasis is controlled in S. aureus is yet to be discerned. S. aureus codes for three accessory regulators that may modulate phosphate homeostasis. The current work revealed that one of these, PitR, is the main regulator of PhoPR activity. Preliminary evidence suggests that the other two homologs, PhoU and the PhoU-like domain of NptA may also regulate PhoPR activity and phosphate uptake.LimitedAuthor requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD syste