SarZ Is a Key Regulator of Biofilm Formation and Virulence inStaphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract

Biofilm-associated infection due to Staphylococcus epidermidis, the leading nosocomial pathogen, is a major problem for the public health system, but the regulation of this important phenotype is not completely understood. Using a highly discriminatory screening procedure for genes that influence biofilm formation, we identified the transcriptional regulator SarZ as a novel important determinant of biofilm formation and biofilm-associated infection, on the basis of the significant impact of sarZ on the transcription of the biosynthetic operon for biofilm exopolysaccharide. In addition, sarZ influenced the expression of a series of virulence genes, including genes that influence the expression of lipases and proteases, resistance to an important human antimicrobial peptide, and hemolysis. Our study indicates that the SarZ regulator has a key role in maintaining the typical S. epidermidis phenotype, which is characterized by pronounced biofilm formation and immune evasion, a likely reason for the success of S. epidermidis as a colonizing organism and pathogen in chronic, biofilm-associated infection.

Accumulation-Associated Protein Enhances Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm Formation under Dynamic Conditions and Is Required for Infection in a Rat Catheter Model

“…3). This result was not necessarily surprising, as our experience and that of others (53,66,73) suggests in vitro static biofilm assays essentially measure PIA synthesis and a hallmark of 1457 is constitutive production of PIA (9,49,53). Therefore, to determine the contribution of Aap in biofilm accumulation in the absence of PIA, bacteriophage 71 was used to transduce the aap::tetM marker from 1457 ⌬aap into 1457 ⌬ica (53), generating 1457 ⌬ica ⌬aap.…”

Biofilm Producing Staphylococcus epidermidis Strains Isolated From Clinical Samples in Tehran, Iran

“…To measure the adherence ability of bacteria, the quantitative crystal violet microtiter plate assay was employed according to the protocol of Wang et al (15). Biofilm formation was classified as negative (OD 570 ≤ ODc), weak (OD 570 < 0.2), moderate (0.2 ≤ OD 570 < 0.5) and strong (OD570 ≥ 0.5).…”

Crystal Structures of the Reduced, Sulfenic Acid, and Mixed Disulfide Forms of SarZ, a Redox Active Global Regulator in Staphylococcus aureus

“…Most recently, SarZ has been identified as a regulator important for the spread of active infections, influencing toxin and protease production (7,8). Further emphasizing the effect sarZ has on bacterial virulence, a SarZ homologue has been identified in Staphylococcus epidermidis and shown to influence biofilm formation, hemolysis, and protease secretion (9).…”