Key Role of Teichoic Acid Net Charge in Staphylococcus aureus Colonization of Artificial Surfaces
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 1 May 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Society for Microbiology in Infection and Immunity
- Vol. 69 (5) , 3423-3426
- https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.69.5.3423-3426.2001
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for a large percentage of infections associated with implanted biomedical devices. The molecular basis of primary adhesion to artificial surfaces is not yet understood. Here, we demonstrate that teichoic acids, highly charged cell wall polymers, play a key role in the first step of biofilm formation. An S. aureus mutant bearing a stronger negative surface charge due to the lack of d -alanine esters in its teichoic acids can no longer colonize polystyrene or glass. The mutation abrogates primary adhesion to plastic while production of the glucosamine-based polymer involved in later steps of biofilm formation is not affected. Our data suggest that repulsive electrostatic forces can lead to reduced staphylococcal biofilm formation, which could have considerable impact on the design of novel implanted materials.Keywords
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- The d -Alanine Residues of Staphylococcus aureus Teichoic Acids Alter the Susceptibility to Vancomycin and the Activity of Autolytic EnzymesAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2000
- D-alanine substitution of teichoic acids as a modulator of protein folding and stability at the cytoplasmic membrane-cell wall interface of Bacillus subtilisJournal of Biological Chemistry, 2000
- A novel mechanism of phase variation of virulence in Staphylococcus epidermidis: evidence for control of the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin synthesis by alternating insertion and excision of the insertion sequence element IS256Molecular Microbiology, 1999
- Inactivation of the dlt Operon inStaphylococcus aureus Confers Sensitivity to Defensins, Protegrins, and Other Antimicrobial PeptidesJournal of Biological Chemistry, 1999
- Characterization of theN-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase Activity Involved in the Biosynthesis of the Staphylococcus epidermidisPolysaccharide Intercellular AdhesinJournal of Biological Chemistry, 1998
- Resistance to biofilm formation on otologic implant materialsOtolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, 1998
- Resistance to Biofilm Formation on Cotologic Implant MaterialsOtolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, 1998
- Molecular basis of intercellular adhesion in the biofilm‐forming Staphylococcus epidermidisMolecular Microbiology, 1996
- Reversibility and mechanism of bacterial adhesionColloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 1995
- Adhesion of coagulase‐negative staphylococci to methacrylate polymers and copolymersJournal of Biomedical Materials Research, 1986