Role of RND Superfamily Efflux Pumps in the Biology of Staphylococci

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Our program evaluates the function of two previously uncharacterized genes encoding efflux pumps which are conserved among Staphylococci, and belong to the resistance -nodulation-division (RND) superfamily of transporters. Staphylococci, including S. aureus and S. epidermidis, are commensals of humans, and we hypothesize that the RND efflux pumps FarE and FemT, support physiological processes that are defining traits of this genus; namely efflux of host derived antimicrobial fatty acids (FarE), and export of a lipid-linked peptidoglycan cross-bridge structure that is unique to Staphylococcal peptidoglycan (FemT). We further propose that RND efflux pumps inherently function within a protein complex, either to promote coupled synthesis and export of a substrate, or in complex with accessory proteins required for export. ***We previously identified the divergently transcribed farE and farR as an effector and regulator of resistance to antimicrobial fatty acids in S. aureus, and observed that expression of farE was induced by antimicrobial fatty acids. Thus, our working model for regulation of farE proposes that binding of FarR to the farE promoter is modulated by products specific to metabolism of unsaturated antimicrobial fatty acids, and that membrane sensor proteins which sense and respond either to membrane perturbation, or changes in composition of the cytoplasmic membrane may also be involved in regulation. Whereas farE is inducible, the femT efflux pump is adjacent to a gene femX, which initiates synthesis of a pentaglycine cross-bridge structure that is unique to staphylococcal peptidoglycan. Thus, we expect that femT will be highly expressed in growing cells, but may be up-regulated in response to conditions that impose stress on the cell wall. To evaluate a predicted role for FemT in transport of a peptidoglycan precursor, we will construct a femT deletion mutant, and assay for altered amino acid composition of peptidoglycan, and increased sensitivity to growth conditions that impose stress on the cell wall; we will also construct a femT-farE double mutant to evaluate the extent of functional redundancy between related efflux pumps. Fluorescence microscopy of bacteria expressing FarE or FemT fused to fluorescent reporters, will be used to determine whether these efflux pumps localize to the division septum, where there is active membrane and peptidoglycan synthesis. Similarly, using a biotin ligase fused to either FemT or FarE, we will identify proteins that are biotinylated in growing cells, due to their proximity to FarE or FemT.***Significance: Our program will provide new insight into the biology of the Staphylococci, from which we expect to develop new knowledge of regulatory pathways, efflux pump function, and protein interaction networks that govern maintenance/homeostasis of the Gram-positive cytoplasmic membrane and cell envelope. **************