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Title: Characterization of Ssc, an N -acetylgalactosamine-containing Staphylococcus aureus surface polysaccharide
ABSTRACT Whole genome sequencing has revealed that the genome ofStaphylococcus aureuspossesses an uncharacterized 5-gene operon (SAOUHSC_00088–00092 in strain 8325 genome) that encodes factors with functions related to polysaccharide biosynthesis and export, indicating the existence of a new extracellular polysaccharide species. We designate this locus assscfor staphylococcal surface carbohydrate. We found that thesscgenes were weakly expressed and highly repressed by the global regulator MgrA. To characterize Ssc, Ssc was heterologously expressed inEscherichia coliand extracted by heat treatment. Ssc was also conjugated to AcrA fromCampylobacter jejuniinE. coliusing protein glycan coupling technology (PGCT). Analysis of the heat-extracted Ssc and the purified Ssc-AcrA glycoconjugate by tandem mass spectrometry revealed that Ssc is likely a polymer consisting ofN-acetylgalactosamine. We further demonstrated that the expression of thesscgenes inS. aureusaffected phage adsorption and susceptibility, suggesting that Ssc is surface-exposed. IMPORTANCESurface polysaccharides play crucial roles in the biology and virulence of bacterial pathogens.Staphylococcus aureusproduces four major types of polysaccharides that have been well-characterized. In this study, we identified a new surface polysaccharide containing N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). This marks the first report of GalNAc-containing polysaccharide inS. aureus. Our discovery lays the groundwork for further investigations into the chemical structure, surface location, and role in pathogenesis of this new polysaccharide.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1933525
PAR ID:
10609405
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Editor(s):
Henkin, Tina M
Publisher / Repository:
American Society for Microbiology
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Bacteriology
Volume:
206
Issue:
5
ISSN:
0021-9193
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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