Genome mining reveals the prevalence and extensive diversity of toxin–antitoxin systems in Staphylococcus aureus

Frontiers in Microbiology

Microbiology

Ying Wang¹  Jie Xu¹  Fang Liu¹  Guangcai Duan¹  Haiyan Yang² 

[1] Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China;null;

关键词: Staphylococcus aureus;    toxin-antitoxin systems;    phylogroup;    genomic;    stress;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165981

 received in 2023-02-15, accepted in 2023-04-28,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a highly pathogenic and adaptable Gram-positive bacterium that exhibits persistence in various environments. The toxin-antitoxin (TA) system plays a crucial role in the defense mechanism of bacterial pathogens, allowing them to survive in stressful conditions. While TA systems in clinical pathogens have been extensively studied, there is limited knowledge regarding the diversity and evolutionary complexities of TA systems in S. aureus.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive in silico survey using 621 publicly available S. aureus isolates. We employed bioinformatic search and prediction tools, including SLING, TADB2.0, and TASmania, to identify TA systems within the genomes of S. aureus.ResultsOur analysis revealed a median of seven TA systems per genome, with three type II TA groups (HD, HD_3, and YoeB) being present in over 80% of the strains. Additionally, we observed that TA genes were predominantly encoded in the chromosomal DNA, with some TA systems also found within the Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosomal mec (SCCmec) genomic islands.DiscussionThis study provides a comprehensive overview of the diversity and prevalence of TA systems in S. aureus. The findings enhance our understanding of these putative TA genes and their potential implications in S. aureus ecology and disease management. Moreover, this knowledge could guide the development of novel antimicrobial strategies.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Xu, Wang, Liu, Duan and Yang.