Work

The Impacts of Essential Gcp/TsaD Protein on Cell Morphology, Virulence Expression, and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Our previous studies identified the Gcp/TsaD protein as essential for Staphylococcus aureus survival and implicated it in tRNA modification. Here, we demonstrate its broader role in bacterial physiology. Through a morphological analysis, RNA sequencing, network-based bioinformatics, and antibiotic susceptibility testing, we show that Gcp/TsaD influences cell morphology, cell wall integrity, transcriptional regulation, virulence, and antibiotic response. Gcp/TsaD depletion caused reduced cell size and increased cell wall thickness, suggesting its roles in cell division and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. The kinetic transcriptomic analysis revealed widespread changes in gene expression, particularly in the translation and amino acid biosynthesis pathways, supporting its function in maintaining translational fidelity via tRNA modification. Its depletion also upregulated the genes involved in cell envelope biosynthesis, including capsule formation, enhancing resistance to antimicrobial peptides, while downregulating the key virulence genes, indicating a role in pathogenicity. Functionally, the Gcp/TsaD-deficient cells were more susceptible to fosfomycin, reinforcing its importance in cell wall integrity. Together, these findings highlight the multifaceted contribution of Gcp/TsaD to S. aureus physiology and underscore its potential as a therapeutic target, particularly against antibiotic-resistant strains.

Source: Microorganisms

DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13092111

Authors: Haiyong Guo, Ting Lei, Junshu Yang, Lin Han, Yue Wang, Yinduo Ji

Institutions: Jilin Normal University, University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258