Utilization of glycerophosphodiesters by Staphylococcus aureus |
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| Authors: | Ana Maria Jorge Jonathan Schneider Sandra Unsleber Nadine Göhring Christoph Mayer Andreas Peschel |
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| Institution: | 1. Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Infection Biology Department, University of Tübingen, Germany;2. Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Microbiology/Biotechnology Department, University of Tübingen, Germany |
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| Abstract: | The facultative pathogen Staphylococcus aureus colonizes the human anterior nares and causes infections of various organ systems. Which carbon, energy, and phosphate sources can be utilized by S. aureus in nutrient‐poor habitats has remained largely unknown. We describe that S. aureus secretes a glycerophosphodiesterase (glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase, EC 3.1.4.46), GlpQ, degrading the glycerophosphodiester (GPD) head groups of phospholipids such as human phosphatidylcholine (GroPC). Deletion of glpQ completely abolished the GroPC‐degrading activity in S. aureus culture supernatants. GroPC has been detected in human tissues and body fluids probably as a result of phospholipid remodelling and degradation. Notably, GroPC promoted S. aureus growth under carbon‐ and phosphate‐limiting conditions in a GlpQ‐dependent manner indicating that GlpQ permits S. aureus to utilize GPD‐derived glycerol‐3‐phosphate as a carbon and phosphate sources. Thus, S. aureus can use a broader spectrum of nutrients than previously thought which underscores its capacity to adapt to the highly variable and nutrient‐poor surroundings. |
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