Structural and functional role of Staphylococcus aureus surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules of the host

Future Microbiol. 2009 Dec;4(10):1337-52. doi: 10.2217/fmb.09.102.

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile and harmful human pathogen in both hospital- and community-acquired infections. S. aureus can initiate host infection by adhering to components of the extracellular matrix. Adherence is mediated by a variety of protein adhesins of the microbial surface component recognizing adhesive matrix molecule (MSCRAMM) family. In this article, we describe these MSCRAMMs in terms of structural organization and ligand-binding capacity and discuss their role as a possible target for immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adhesins, Bacterial / chemistry
  • Adhesins, Bacterial / genetics
  • Adhesins, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Adhesion*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Staphylococcus aureus / physiology*

Substances

  • Adhesins, Bacterial
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • MSCRAMM proteins, Staphylococcus