Disturbing the Spatial Organization of Biofilm Communities Affects Expression of agr -Regulated Virulence Factors in Staphylococcus aureus
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, integrate signals from the environment to regulate genes encoding virulence factors. These signals include those produced by quorum-sensing systems and nutrient availability. We show that disturbing the spatial organization of S. aureus populations can lead to changes in the expression of virulence factors, likely by altering the ways in which S. aureus detects these signals. Our work may allow us to identify environments that increase or reduce the expression of virulence factors in S. aureus.
DOI: 10.1128/aem.01932-22
Institutions: Nova Southeastern University, Columbia University, Barnard College
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4318166185