Title | Regulation of Virulence in Staphylococcus aureus: Molecular Mechanisms and Remaining Puzzles. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Wang, B, Muir, TW |
Journal | Cell Chem Biol |
Volume | 23 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 214-224 |
Date Published | 2016 Feb 18 |
ISSN | 2451-9448 |
Keywords | Bacterial Proteins, Biological Products, Models, Molecular, Molecular Conformation, Protein Kinases, Staphylococcus aureus, Virulence |
Abstract | <p>The agr locus encodes a quorum-sensing (QS) circuit required for the virulence of a spectrum of Gram-positive pathogens and is, therefore, regarded as an important target for the development of chemotherapeutics. In recent years, many of the biochemical events in the Staphylococcus aureus agr circuit have been reconstituted and subject to quantitative analysis in vitro. This work, in conjunction with structural studies on several key players in the signaling circuit, has furnished mechanistic insights into the regulation and evolution of the agr QS system. Here, we review this progress and discuss the remaining open questions in the area. We also highlight advances in the discovery of small-molecule agr modulators and how the newly available biochemical and structural information might be leveraged for the design of next-generation therapeutics targeting the agr system.</p> |
DOI | 10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.01.004 |
Alternate Journal | Cell Chem Biol |
PubMed ID | 26971873 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4847544 |
Grant List | R01 AI042783 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States R01 GM095880 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States AI042783 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States GM095880 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States |