A role for proteases and transcriptional regulation in the expression of ClfB on the surface of staphylococcus aureus
Citation:
Fionnuala Mary McAleese, 'A role for proteases and transcriptional regulation in the expression of ClfB on the surface of staphylococcus aureus', [thesis], Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland). School of Medicine. Discipline of Clinical Microbiology, 2002, pp 308Download Item:
McAleese TCD THESIS 6787 A role for.pdf (PDF) 187.3Mb
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen. This bacterium expresses proteins on its surface capable of binding to many host ligands including fibrinogen, fibronectin, collagen, elastin and von Willebrand factor. These surface adhesins are termed MSCRAMMs (microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecules) and they allow the bacterium to establish infections at various tissue sites and on biomaterial implants that have become coated with host proteins. S. aureus expresses two structurally related fibrinogen-binding proteins on its cell surface, ClfA and ClfB. The ligand-binding A regions of these proteins are composed of three independently folded subdomains. ClfA and ClflB bind to different parts of the fibrinogen molecule. ClfA binds to the C-terminus of the y-chain whereas ClfB binds to the a-chain. ClfA is expressed on the surface of S. aureus in a functional form throughout the growth cycle. In contrast, previous studies have demonstrated that ClfB expression was restricted to the exponential phase of growth and stationary phase cells could not adhere to fibrinogen in a ClfB-dependent manner. It was hypothesised that transcription of the clfB gene may cease in exponential phase and that ClfB protein may be subject to proteolysis. The aim of this study was to determine the factors responsible for the apparent loss of ClfB protein and function in stationary phase.
Author: McAleese, Fionnuala Mary
Advisor:
Foster, TimQualification name:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)Publisher:
Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland). School of Medicine. Discipline of Clinical MicrobiologyNote:
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Microbiology, Ph.D., Ph.D. Trinity College DublinLicences: