The Staphylococcus aureus RNome and its commitment to virulence

PLoS Pathog. 2011 Mar;7(3):e1002006. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002006. Epub 2011 Mar 10.

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen causing a wide spectrum of nosocomial and community-associated infections with high morbidity and mortality. S. aureus generates a large number of virulence factors whose timing and expression levels are precisely tuned by regulatory proteins and RNAs. The aptitude of bacteria to use RNAs to rapidly modify gene expression, including virulence factors in response to stress or environmental changes, and to survive in a host is an evolving concept. Here, we focus on the recently inventoried S. aureus regulatory RNAs, with emphasis on those with identified functions, two of which are directly involved in pathogenicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics*
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity*
  • Virulence Factors / genetics*
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Virulence Factors