S. Aureus Adapt to Growth Conditions by Changing Membrane Order

Abstract

a finite number of agents utilizing a velocity alignment interaction and a Lennard-Jones potential, which provides both cohesive and repulsive interactions between neighboring agents. In the swarming regime of our model, an agent is selected at random to ''escape'' the flock, by choosing a particular direction to travel in, and no longer align with it's neighbors. We found that close to the swarming transition the escapee was unable to escape, while deeper in the swarming regime the swarm was more stable and the particle was able to escape with little effect on the rest of the swarm. Our research sheds light on the varied responses of swarms to internal dissent and suggests optimal strategies to escape or reorient swarms that exploit these responses.

Staphylococcus aureus Carotenoids Modulate the Thermotropic Phase Behavior of Model Systems That Mimic Its Membrane Composition

“…Calorimetric experiments were performed to determine the effect of carotenoids on the S. aureus membranes. Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) is the most abundant lipid (80%) in the outer monolayer and CL is a minor component (20%) [ 5 , 23 , 24 ]. Thermograms of the MLV made of DMPG, CL, and DMPG:CL (80:20) are summarized in Figure 1 A.…”

The Synthetic Peptide LyeTx I mn∆K, Derived from Lycosa erythrognatha Spider Toxin, Is Active against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) In Vitro and In Vivo

“…In order to investigate the effect of LyeTx I mn∆K on MRSA membranes, we studied the peptide–membrane interaction in the presence of POPG:CL (2:1, mol/mol). This phospholipid composition was selected as it represents the predominant constituents of S. aureus membranes [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Initially, the thermodynamic studies regarding the membrane interactions of LyeTx ImnDK with POPG:CL LUVs indicated that the peptide presents a moderate to high affinity with negatively charged vesicles at 35 °C.…”

“…In order to investigate the effect of LyeTx I mn∆K on MRSA membranes, we studied the peptide-membrane interaction in the presence of POPG:CL (2:1, mol/mol). This phospholipid composition was selected as it represents the predominant constituents of S. aureus membranes [43][44][45]. Initially, the thermodynamic studies regarding the membrane interactions of LyeTx ImnDK with POPG:CL LUVs indicated that the peptide presents a moderate to high affinity with negatively charged vesicles at 35 • C. Although, the negative enthalpy values indicate exothermic binding of the peptides to the anionic vesicles and the predominance of attractive Coulomb forces, the binding process for the peptide is mainly driven by entropic factors, since |T∆S| >> |∆H|.…”