Genomic Analysis of the Unusual Staphylococcus aureus ST630 Isolates Harboring WTA Glycosyltransferase Genes tarM and tagN

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01501-21
• Publication Date: 2022-02-16T15:31:04Z
• Authors: Mengyuan Xiong; Liangjun Chen; Jin Zhao; Xiao Xiao; Junying Zhou; Fang Fang; Xinwei Li; Yunbao Pan; Yirong Li
• Keywords: Teichoic acid; SCCmec; Prophage

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) can cause a broad spectrum of diseases ranging from skin infections to life-threatening in both community and hospital settings. The surface-exposed wall teichoic acid (WTA) has strong impact on host interaction, pathogenicity, horizontal gene transfer, biofilm formation S. aureus. unusual ST630 strains containing ribitol-phosphate (RboP) WTA glycosyltransferase tarM glycerol-phosphate (GroP) tagN have been found recently. Native PAGE analysis showed that the tagN, tarM-encoding migrated slower than non-tagN-encoding strains, indicating differences structure. Some mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as unique GroP-WTA biosynthetic cluster (SaGroWI), SCCmec element, prophages probably originated CoNS were identified strains. SaGroWI element was first defined ST395 strain, which refractory exchange MGEs with typical RboP-WTA expressing but could undergo transfer events other species genera via specific bacteriophage Φ187. Overall, our data indicated this rare prone acquire DNA might serve novel hub for between IMPORTANCE structure wall-anchored glycopolymers produced by most Gram-positive bacteria is highly variable. While dominant lineages produce poly-ribitol-phosphate WTA, lineage poly-glycerol-phosphate backbone like coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). There growing evidence staphylococcal depends largely transducing helper phages receptor. structural difference greatly affects among various bacteria. With advances sequencing technologies, revolutionized research activities field important pathogen Here, we analyzed molecular characteristics an evolutionary link CoNS. Elucidating information will contribute understanding emergence diversification new pathogenic